Lakers fall to 2-0 in Nuggets series
DENVER — The Lakers dropped their second straight series game on Thursday to fall to 0-2 after a 108-103 Game 2 loss to the Nuggets.
The Lakers are officially in desperation mode, heading back to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 for a chance to even the series with a home-court stretch and familiar altitude.
“Overall, the energy was there, the effort is there, the urgency was there, we just caught a bad stretch,” said head coach Darvin Ham.
Through the first three quarters, the Lakers had most of the game under their control, with a 79-76 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Until a breakout fourth quarter from Denver’s Jamal Murray changed the course of the game with a 23-point fourth-quarter performance to finish the game with 37 points.
Anthony Davis has displayed inconsistent performances throughout the playoffs, showcasing all-star-level play in one game and subpar outings in the next. This trend continued for the Lakers in Game 2.
After a 40-point, 10-rebound performance in Game 1’s loss, Davis followed it up by scoring 18 points on 4-of-15, 26.6% shooting, with 9 of those points coming from the foul line. Davis’ defense had the biggest impact for the Lakers, finishing with 14 rebounds and four blocks in 40 minutes of action.
“I got the same looks. A lot of them were just short tonight. I’ll be better,” said Davis on the difference from Game 1 to Game 2.
LeBron’s struggles from three continued to bite the Lakers, choosing to take a three over one of his strongest attributes in driving to the buckets. A factor to opting for the three over a paint bucket could be the ankle that’s plagued him throughout the season.
With one minute to go in the game, LeBron re-aggravated his ankle after falling on the foot of Davis while contesting a layup—immediately falling in pain as the ball went the other way.
LeBron finished 0-for-6 from three and 9-of-19 overall, for 47.3%. LeBron was one stat shy of a triple-double for the second straight game with 22 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds, four steals, and two blocks in 40 minutes.
“It really doesn’t matter at this point who starts or who comes off the bench just about how we can get it done and win the game,” said LeBron James.
Rui Hachimura was the difference a little too late in Game 1’s loss, and the insertion made a difference immediately for the Lakers in Game 2. In the first 13 minutes played, Hachimura had 17 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting. Hachimura finished with 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting in 30 minutes off the bench.
“We just got to play harder. That’s going to be the key,” said Hachimura.
Late in the stretch, trying to come down from a double-digit deficit, Austin Reaves hit two big threes to get them within reach. One of the huge threes came with 1:08 seconds left, banking in a three to get the Lakers within two points at 99–101.
“I wish you could win them all, but it’s not the nature of any sport,” said Reaves.
Reaves finished with 22 points on 8-for-16 for 50%, with five assists, three rebounds, and a steal in 36 minutes.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone made some odd comments post game, claiming there was a lack of respect surrounding the HEAVILY favored Denver Nuggets team.
“You win Game 1 of the payoffs, and all anyone could talk about is the Lakers,” said Malone. “No one talked about how Nikola [Jokic] had a historic performance.”
Not only has Nikola Jokic been great, but he’s been talked about deservedly for how historic he’s been with his incredible triple-double stat line every game.
Jokic is the first player in NBA history to have four consecutive 20-point triple-doubles in the playoffs, according to NBA history.
Game 3 will return home to Los Angeles at 5:30 p.m. on ABC.
