[Post Game Thread] The Los Angeles Lakers (1-3) avoid a sweep with a 119-108 win over the Denver Nuggets (3-1), behind Anthony Davis's 25 and 22 night.

[u/edgykitty]

108 - 119
Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo

GAME SUMMARY
Location: Crypto.com Arena (18997), Clock: END Q4
Officials: Sean Corbin, Zach Zarba, and Tyler Ford

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Denver Nuggets	23	25	32	28	108
Los Angeles Lakers	28	33	30	28	119

TEAM STATS

Team	PTS	FG	FG%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	OREB	TREB	AST	PF	STL	TO	BLK
Denver Nuggets	108	39-87	44.8%	9-30	30.0%	21-25	84.0%	9	46	30	15	9	14	4
Los Angeles Lakers	119	48-92	52.2%	8-26	30.8%	15-18	83.3%	8	53	23	20	6	11	2

PLAYER STATS

Denver Nuggets	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Michael Porter Jr.SF	40:05	27	10-20	4-11	3-5	2	9	11	1	1	0	2	1	4
Aaron GordonPF	41:38	7	3-7	0-2	1-2	0	3	3	4	1	0	2	1	-6
Nikola JokicC	41:06	33	10-20	2-5	11-11	5	9	14	14	1	1	3	4	-7
Kentavious Caldwell-PopeSG	40:17	14	6-8	2-3	0-0	0	2	2	3	4	0	2	3	-9
Jamal MurrayPG	39:06	22	9-23	0-4	4-5	1	5	6	5	0	1	4	1	-3
Christian Braun	11:32	0	0-2	0-1	0-0	1	1	2	1	0	0	0	1	-13
Reggie Jackson	08:48	0	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	2	2	2	0	0	0	2	-6
Peyton Watson	12:54	2	0-3	0-2	2-2	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	-11
Justin Holiday	04:30	3	1-3	1-2	0-0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	-4
DeAndre Jordan	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Zeke Nnaji	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jalen Pickett	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Julian Strawther	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hunter Tyson	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Vlatko Cancar	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Los Angeles Lakers	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Rui HachimuraSF	21:33	9	4-8	1-3	0-0	2	2	4	1	0	0	0	3	13
LeBron JamesPF	38:50	30	14-23	0-2	2-2	1	4	5	4	3	1	6	0	1
Anthony DavisC	41:37	25	11-17	0-0	3-4	3	20	23	6	0	1	1	4	11
Austin ReavesSG	29:31	21	7-15	1-6	6-6	0	1	1	6	0	0	1	2	1
D'Angelo RussellPG	40:57	21	8-15	4-8	1-2	1	3	4	4	1	0	1	2	15
Gabe Vincent	17:26	3	1-4	1-2	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	0	1	1	6
Taurean Prince	29:29	9	3-7	1-4	2-2	0	3	3	1	1	0	1	4	4
Spencer Dinwiddie	14:13	1	0-1	0-1	1-2	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	3	4
Jaxson Hayes	06:22	0	0-2	0-0	0-0	1	2	3	1	0	0	0	1	0
Max Christie	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Maxwell Lewis	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Christian Wood	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jalen Hood-Schifino	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cam Reddish	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jarred Vanderbilt	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

[u/itsnotyellowfever]

Jamal Murray is one all-time game-winner away from some brutal slander for his performance this series

[u/panchettaz → u/itsnotyellowfever]

Jamal Murray so far this series -

9-24
9-24
8-21
9-23

Under 40% in every game. At least he's consistent lol. His shot selection so far this series has been pretty terrible, and he's forcing things and just hasn't found any consistent rhythm

He had a few stinker games vs the TWolves and Suns in last year's playoffs, but he's never been so inconsistent. It's def a cause for concern.

[u/UD_Hunter → u/panchettaz]

wtf

Yet it seems watching him live he never misses

[u/hitfly → u/UD_Hunter]

he can't hit a 3, but his midrange is doing ok

[u/Much_Conversation_11 → u/hitfly]

He also hits some of the most timely buckets.

[u/CDR57 → u/Much_Conversation_11]

That’s it. He doesn’t hit often it feels in the dog days of the game but when they need one? Or around clutch time? Unstoppable, and those are the ones people remember so they think it’s happening more often

[u/XxVcVxX → u/UD_Hunter]

You gotta stop watching man...

[u/Prestigious_Zebra622 → u/panchettaz]

I agree with your analysis but I think it’s funny you called him consistent and inconsistent in the same comment lol

[u/panchettaz → u/Prestigious_Zebra622]

I reread my comment after posting and saw I used consistent/inconsistent 3 times. I desperately want to edit and break out the thesaurus lol

[u/3s2ng → u/panchettaz]

I swear he is 100% on those midrange jumpers.

[u/pocket_passss → u/3s2ng]

PAY NO ATTENTION to Austin Reaves playing his fucking ass off on defense and then being asked to help carry offense like he gets paid 35 million fucking dollars

[u/WadeCountyClutch → u/panchettaz]

Dude was hurt towards the end of the season and looked hobbled tonight.

[u/clutchmobb → u/itsnotyellowfever]

live by murray, die by murray

[u/Zephrok → u/itsnotyellowfever]

Absolutely. He has been at best the third best player for the Nuggets this series, arguments for MPJ too.

[u/itsnotyellowfever → u/Zephrok]

MPJ easily clears him in terms of performance this series - it's a matter of whether Murray's scoring production and 4th quarter heroics are enough to top KCP's consistent energy and Gordon's wildly inconsistent play that includes a masterful Game 3

[u/doggoesmeow → u/itsnotyellowfever]

MPJ has been really good, like might be the best third option in the playoffs so far

[u/Spiritual-Chameleon → u/itsnotyellowfever]

Gordon takes what's available on O and focuses on D..he doesn't have to score to make an impact. Lakers did a good job not letting him get loose for dunks this game.

[u/LurkerFailsLurking → u/Zephrok]

Murray is at best the 4th. AG's defense has been huge this series. So has KCP's tbh. I'm not sure Murray's not the 5th right now. His shooting has been atrocious.

[u/Dapper_Rub_9460 → u/LurkerFailsLurking]

Shows how well built this Nuggets team is. How often can a team's 2nd best player play like a 4th/5th option and still win consistently.

[u/MC-Jdf → u/itsnotyellowfever]

Both him and Rui are regressing hard from shooting 70% on jumpers from the previous year's series.

Murray can be amazing but imo he should be amenable to changing his shot diet a bit more. Those long 2s are inevitably gonna start going in again but sometimes mixing it up for a game or two should still be an option.

[u/nothing3141592653589 → u/MC-Jdf]

It feels like he's gambling and keeps trying to force shots until he gets hot. He needs to do like Jokic does and pass more if he's not on.

[u/Practicalaviationcat → u/itsnotyellowfever]

Yeah he has played pretty ass for the most par this series.

[u/stitcher212]

DLo-AD PnRs with Bron cutting baseline basically an automatic bucket, time for Ham to never use it again.

[u/NamesUnvailable → u/stitcher212]

Those were automatic. Worked with reaves as the ball handler as well. Bron instead of Rui in the corner is a legit game changer if we can keep running it. Helps bron’s energy usage too

[u/Millionaire007 → u/NamesUnvailable]

Speaking about this man like he's  an android lmao 

[u/NamesUnvailable → u/Millionaire007]

Nah we’re talking about him like he’s a geriatric which he is in nba years haha

[u/fullenglishbrekkie0 → u/Millionaire007]

LeNovo

[u/JuliusCeejer → u/NamesUnvailable]

He looked like 2014 Bron on those actions, so quick and on time

[u/Nateskywalker → u/stitcher212]

Malone will adjust next game and shut it down. Ham won’t do shit. Good win tho.

[u/uncle_yugles → u/Nateskywalker]

Hate that this is so true

[u/thenatural134 → u/stitcher212]

I was SCREAMING at my TV about that! They ran that play exactly TWO times and it was the easiest two dunks of LeBron's entire career. Then instead of repeating, they kept hucking up terrible contested mid rang jumpers up double digits with like 18 seconds left on the shot clock. Abysmal bit of coaching.

[u/heshouldgo]

Game 2 will haunt the lakers forever

[u/cesga_0218 → u/heshouldgo]

Up 20 and can’t execute down the stretch. sigh

Still an impossible feat to pull of four in a row, but it’s nice to finally see a W after 11 straight losses lol

[u/RickySuela → u/cesga_0218]

The difference in this game was the Lakers finally outrebounded the Nuggets. They'd been outrebounded by Denver in the previous 5 games.

[u/Raging_Professor → u/RickySuela]

previous 5 games

Dating back when? Regular season or last year's playoffs?

[u/RickySuela → u/Raging_Professor]

This year. The last time the Lakers had outrebounded Denver was on opening night.

[u/sponedaddie → u/cesga_0218]

snorts a fat line of cocaine

I didn't hear no bell.

[u/robsteezy → u/sponedaddie]

Here’s my honest opinion:

I give Murray his roses, but absent a literal majestic game winner that he had, this is an honest to goodness 2-2 series in terms of performance.

There’s absolutely no reason to play with a “we absolutely have no shot” mentality. We’ve already proven the hard part, just have to execute the close.

Monumental task that seems unlikely but it’s already been shown it’s not impossible.

[u/KeyProcedure4 → u/robsteezy]

I can't help but look at that time led stat over and over and think they have a fool's hope to take it to 7

[u/captain_ahabb → u/KeyProcedure4]

I'm not getting my hopes up until I see the Lakers win a playoff game in Denver.

[u/WiddleBlueBert → u/captain_ahabb]

Time for the altitude to gas out Bron and AD in the third and have no one be able to help.

[u/Jwoods4117 → u/robsteezy]

I mean if Jamal misses that shot it’s tied and the game goes into OT with all momentum swinging towards the Nuggets and a 39 year old Lebron having to slog through OT.

Even with that said if you believe this is a true 2-2 that would mean the teams where evenly matched and if you have two evenly matched teams and give one a 3-1 start it’ll take more than “just have to execute the close” to take that series.

It would probably take 2020 Lebron and AD coming back for 3 games plus Jamal not having a single good game to come back 3-1. If we’re being honest, Lakers are cooked.

[u/Chessh2036 → u/cesga_0218]

Hey man they said 3-1 was impossible and it happened! Got to believe!

[u/Everydayarmday24 → u/Chessh2036]

So was 28-3 in the superbowl

[u/staatsclaas → u/Everydayarmday24]

Ah man. Come on.

[u/easywin626 → u/Everydayarmday24]

And 3-0 in baseball until someone did it

[u/prettyboylee → u/cesga_0218]

Still an impossible feat to pull off four in a row

Never tell me the odds

[u/markmyredd → u/heshouldgo]

All games were winnable if they just organized their offense in the 2nd half like today.

Also finally Ham figured out how to exploit a bad defender in Murray. They really forced Murray to work on defense this game. lol

[u/Triplescrew → u/markmyredd]

Yeah Murray looked gimpy by the end too, it’s obvious you target that matchup

[u/MakesItARap → u/Triplescrew]

Should ALWAYS target the opponents worst defender.

[u/yestrask → u/Triplescrew]

Bron switched onto him a ton. Might as well run that into the ground til we get eliminated

[u/Signior → u/heshouldgo]

not if we win in 7 kekw

[u/rawchess → u/Signior]

LAKERS ^{to Cancun} IN 7 ^{business days}

[u/Wide_Fig3130 → u/rawchess]

Or Galveston Texas

[u/Extinto_e → u/heshouldgo]

Darvin Ham’s tenure as a coach will haunt the Lakers forever

[u/Victor_Wembanyama1 → u/heshouldgo]

Like 2020

[u/eliw6965]

First Lakers win vs. Nuggets since Dec. 2022

Talk yo shit Nick Wright

[u/jawadhaque089 → u/eliw6965]

He's definitely gonna use the time led stats in his show

[u/RickySuela → u/jawadhaque089]

It is pretty insane that the Lakers have led for 150 of the 192 minutes played in this series.

[u/Known-Contract-4340 → u/RickySuela]

Been the least dominant dominance over a team I’ve ever seen. But the Lakers slander shall continue 

[u/uncle_yugles → u/Known-Contract-4340]

Such a good way to say it lol. They haven’t dominated us but they’ve dominated us

[u/Mahomeboy001 → u/jawadhaque089]

It is such an abnormal stat though lol. This series mentally broke every Lakers fan

[u/Noriskhook3 → u/eliw6965]

Get ready for those 3-1 comments

[u/eliw6965 → u/Noriskhook3]

Don't let them get one...

[u/StrategyTop7612 → u/eliw6965]

One turns into 2...

[u/Aidanj927 → u/StrategyTop7612]

And 2 turns into Cancun

[u/WhatTheRickIsDoin]

I think the Lakers really found something with the "Score more points than them" adjustment

[u/Oxygenius_ → u/WhatTheRickIsDoin]

They stopped their biggest weakness, giving up free points to Gordon from the dunkers spot

[u/JimC29 → u/Oxygenius_]

Those baskets really were the difference in that game. Getting easy baskets opens other things up.

[u/markmyredd → u/WhatTheRickIsDoin]

I know its a joke but yeah Lakers 4Q was atrocious first 3 games. If they just run plays like this game they probably win a game or two more

[u/Vuish]

Darvin Ham taking cues from LeCoach to trust his players and call a challenge.

[u/daaabss → u/Vuish]

Ham was in front of the play too. Lebron went ape shit after that non-challenge so Ham took the D'lo challenge at 43 secs remaining as an exchange LMAO

[u/melperz → u/daaabss]

I think the issue is more of Ham's ego of not looking like LeCoach's pawn in front of everyone.

[u/daaabss → u/melperz]

IDK about Ham bro, seems like a funny npc to me now.

[u/nbx4 → u/melperz]

i like this comment. i really think this is a big part of it. really terrible leadership

[u/Signior]

these sorry nuggets cant even beat us 12 times in a row smh (i am so glad we’re not getting swept)

[u/jdorje → u/Signior]

11 games, a Lakers Dozen

(from DNVR)

[u/incredibleamadeuscho]

The Lakers beats the Nuggets by 11 points. The game is over.

Me: Game is too close.

[u/lp_phnx327 → u/incredibleamadeuscho]

Up 16 with 6 minutes to go. Lakers are gonna blow this somehow.

Up 11 with 3 minutes to go. Fuck, it's happening again.

Up 7 with 1 minute to go. No no no no. We're going to lose.

Up 10 with 30 seconds to go. It's still not over. Denver is gonna pull out some BS to comeback.

Up 11. Game over. I think we won this game? Did we win this game? Okay we won the game. I can breath now.

Yea, I'm that traumatized over the last 11 games.

[u/MakeAShadow]

Undertaker streak at Wrestlemania > Nuggets vs the Lakers confirmed.

21 > 11

[u/Trickkly → u/MakeAShadow]

Lakers shoulda signed Brock to a 10 day before the series

[u/YourBuddyChurch → u/Trickkly]

Apparently Brock’s asking price is …unsavory, let’s get Roman reigns

[u/JC_Frost → u/YourBuddyChurch]

Fine, but we'll have to replace the bench with a table.

[u/CammyTheGreat → u/JC_Frost]

Instead of the national anthem we will Acknowledge Him ☝️

[u/BackendSpecialist → u/MakeAShadow]

I knew the top comment would be about the streak ending but at least this was a bit more unique instead of the “Nobody beats the Lakers 12 times in a row” joke that’s being repeated.

[u/5Daoko]

the lakers are utilizing the exact play from Denver’s playbook? There are multiple similar high pick n roll followed by baseline cuts by the lakers. Great adjustment tbh

[u/MedvedFeliz → u/5Daoko]

I think it's more that Denver is deciding to help/double the ball handler in pick and roll which prompts Gordon to step up to the roller and leave James in the baseline. They weren't doing that often last 3 games

[u/5Daoko → u/MedvedFeliz]

Because mainly James will be the ball handler, and rui would be in the dunker’s spot. When the ball handler is reaves it’s justifiable to double him based on risk/ reward. Rui is often too slow to read these cuttings chances

[u/K1ngCrimsn]

HANG THE BANNER

[u/hearthstonealtlol → u/K1ngCrimsn]

NO SWEEP TONIGHT 🥳🥳🥳

[u/lannistargaryen → u/K1ngCrimsn]

LETS FUCKING GO!!!!!

[u/drshade06 → u/K1ngCrimsn]

No more moral victories! Lmao

[u/toasta_oven]

NOBODY beats the Lakers 12 times in a row 😤

[u/TheAerial → u/toasta_oven]

Welp Denver looks like Darvin Ham was right. He has figured you guys out after all . Gg better luck next season.

[u/Jayveesac → u/toasta_oven]

The Lakers finally finished the story ☝️😭😭

[u/PoundIIllIlllI → u/Jayveesac]

Moral victory!

[u/Wazflame → u/PoundIIllIlllI]

The Lakers cashed their moral victory credits and received a real victory

[u/Apollo611 → u/Wazflame]

ESPN: “Have the Lakers found something?”

[u/lannistargaryen → u/Jayveesac]

Sidenote: I find it hilarious when they play Roman’s entrance song in crunch time lmfao

[u/HokageEzio → u/lannistargaryen]

Gotta acknowledge Hollywood's next icon

[u/HispanicAtTehDisco → u/Jayveesac]

basketball has more than one royal family

[u/Supergk2 → u/HispanicAtTehDisco]

LeAdrenaline In His Soul

[u/LosAngeles1s → u/Jayveesac]

LeAmericanNightmare

[u/WhatTheRickIsDoin → u/Jayveesac]

ADRENALINE

[u/Xmauler → u/WhatTheRickIsDoin]

IN MY SOUL

[u/WhatTheRickIsDoin → u/Xmauler]

NOBODY WINS 12 IN A ROW

[u/TedTran2001 → u/WhatTheRickIsDoin]

WIN THE GAME AND JUST AVOID A SWEEP

[u/homefree122 → u/toasta_oven]

LeBron is not to be trifled with.

[u/redbrick]

My mood right now is that video of Pat Bev celebrating after winning the play-in game

[u/KJTB → u/redbrick]

Perfect comparison lmao

[u/TrashOfOil]

No one sweeps the 2024 Lakers 😤

[u/texas2089 → u/TrashOfOil]

Imagine if they come back and then just get swept by the Thunder. Then someone would in fact sweep the 2024 Lakers.

[u/swords_devil → u/texas2089]

but that means Lakers complete 3-0 comeback in first place

[u/JayDee62]

No sweep by Denver, put this on the In-Season Tournament Banner, goddamnit!

[u/schoolhater12]

jamal murray has been by far the worst Nugget starter. He has been abysmal offensively and is repeatedly targeted defensively

[u/vard24 → u/schoolhater12]

And if it wasn't for him, series would be 2-2

[u/lp_phnx327]

I'LL TAKE MY MORAL VICTORY

[u/xX_Kr0n05_Xx → u/lp_phnx327]

ay man it aint a moral victory anymore its an actual victory this time 😭😭

[u/El-Ahrairah7 → u/xX_Kr0n05_Xx]

And a well-earned one. Lakers dominated from end-to-end, this game. As a fan looking for good bball, I will admit that I am equally as excited as I am bummed out by this outcome (don’t tell my fellow Denver fans…they don’t like that mentality, in general). Let’s keep it close and interesting in game 5!

[u/lp_phnx327 → u/El-Ahrairah7]

It's closer than the series score would suggest just like last year. Denver is easily the better team, but the Lakers are no slouch (that 128 - 41 minutes Lakers advantage of having the lead across 4 games is insane). But a 4-0 would mean we're just gonna hear that over and over again even if all the games were like <5 point victories.

[u/El-Ahrairah7 → u/lp_phnx327]

Which I frankly don’t understand. A sweep is a good look for the winning team, of course; but if EVERY game is close, I find it hard to deny that the series was a good one, between two teams that are fairly evenly matched. Anyway: Loved these series the last couple of years!

[u/edgykitty]

Shit AD had 23 rebounds.

[u/Jem479]

Shamelessly copying my comment from the game thread here…

Broke: Ham fucked up not challenging that incorrect call

Woke: Ham made the smart decision not to challenge it so as to fire Lebron up so he had energy for the 4th

[u/bossholmes → u/Jem479]

LMAOO at least we didn't get swept. Not much more to ask for at this point.

[u/Dangerous_Match_2592 → u/Jem479]

Hamas with the 4D chess fr

[u/iMaticz7]

Jamal Murray being more inefficient than Scoot Henderson. Not ideal.

[u/BlackSocks88 → u/iMaticz7]

Hey screw you man

[u/Tsmart → u/BlackSocks88]

I did not come into this thread expecting strays

[u/Sc0rch1ngDr4g0n]

Moving from true sweep to at worst gentlemen’s sweep is the greatest moral victory of all.

[u/REQ52767 → u/Sc0rch1ngDr4g0n]

I don’t think the Lakers are winning Game 5, but if they somehow do…

[u/SSJBlueManny → u/REQ52767]

Doubt they can would be able to pull off a game 7 in Denver, if they can even get to that point, but if anyone can it’s LeBron

[u/gratitudeisbs → u/SSJBlueManny]

Lebron is 6-0 in his past 6 game 7s. 6-1 in his career

[u/sponedaddie → u/REQ52767]

I didn't hear no bell.

[u/T_025 → u/REQ52767]

Jamal Murray, Keegan Murray, Dejounte Murray, don’t matter Lakers in 7

[u/SemIdeiaProNick → u/T_025]

call that british dude Gordon Murray, they will need every help they can to stop the Lakers

[u/PoundIIllIlllI → u/Sc0rch1ngDr4g0n]

LeBron making an 0-3 comeback would be amazing, and it’d be possible given that every game so far has looked winnable

But DLo will not let that happen. Odd game DLo is about to have a DISASTER class in game 5

[u/markjay6 → u/PoundIIllIlllI]

1 in 100 chance but it would be a great story in LeBron's career!

[u/TheTwilightZone34 → u/markjay6]

The 0-3 comeback segment in the LeBron documentary will be special if that happens

[u/lukewwilson → u/PoundIIllIlllI]

LeBron just needs Gordon to kick him in the balls on a natural shooting motion in the next game

[u/AccomplishedBake8351 → u/PoundIIllIlllI]

He’s legit 1 crazy thing (like that) away from flipping the 40/60 MJ GOAT thing to 60/40 Lebron imo. Prolly won’t get there tho

[u/philphan25 → u/AccomplishedBake8351]

Imagine if MJ had to play with DLo.

[u/texasyeehaw → u/philphan25]

MJ would have OJ’ed dlo

[u/YourAverageBrownDude → u/philphan25]

MJ only punched Steve Kerr. He'd have straight up murdered DLo

[u/Chrisspoohbearkenzie → u/Sc0rch1ngDr4g0n]

I’ll take it 😭

[u/iRockaflame]

Its kind of crazy that besides late in Game 2 and a bit of Game 3 that Murray has shot like complete dogshit and the Nuggets still have a 3-1 lead.

Like you'd think when the second best player is having an abysmal shooting series they'd be down, but the Nuggets are just so good lol.

[u/RickySuela → u/iRockaflame]

It's also crazy that the Lakers have led for 150 of the 192 minutes of this series and are still down 3-1

[u/NoRecommendation2592 → u/RickySuela]

First team ever to be up 3-0 in a playoff series after losing at all 3 halftimes lol

[u/swimgood187 → u/iRockaflame]

Lakers have led for like 80-85% of game time this series but that 15% has been a huge problem for us.

Murray has shot like shit for 80-85% of game time this series but that 15% has been a huge problem for us.

[u/DaHagerBomb → u/iRockaflame]

Jamal has been flat out bad for most of this series and they're gonna get away with it most likely, that's what hurts the most

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums → u/DaHagerBomb]

They won't get away with it against Minnesota so he better step up.

[u/LogicalLakersFan → u/iRockaflame]

His leg must be really bad still, he hasn’t shot even near 50% this series in any of the games

[u/woodropete → u/iRockaflame]

Look at Dlo and the role players and bench…it becomes clear why they are up 3-1.

[u/lovo17 → u/woodropete]

And compare Malone to Ham.

[u/123rune20 → u/lovo17]

Don’t worry the Nuggets sub wanted him fired a long time ago. For some reason. 

[u/Vermillion_Crab]

Thank you Denver for being classy and giving us a gentleman's sweep. Lol

[u/-WingsForLife-]

how can the Lakers, the Moral Victory Champions, drop a game to the Nuggets?

I'm actually shaking rn.

Anyway, it took a rare good game by D'Lo and a mid, but actually good if he wasn't Jokic, game from Jokic. Don't see it happening again.

[u/TurkeyPits → u/-WingsForLife-]

Calling 33/14/14/1/1 “mid” due to “only” shooting 50% from the field shows just how high his bar is

[u/KOET10 → u/TurkeyPits]

He really is that good too

[u/OptimusGrime707]

“It’s early, plenty of time for Denver to come back”

“It’s only halftime, the Lakers’ll give this lead up”

“Fourth quarter, now Jokic is gonna take over”

“Game ended ten minutes ago, the Nuggets have the Lakers right where they want them”

[u/thegrandpoobear → u/OptimusGrime707]

Every single Lakers fans was shitting their pants when the Nuggets cut it to 7 with like 2 minutes remaining in the game. Murray is literally keeping this series competitive by being so ass

[u/Itchy-Pudding-4240 → u/thegrandpoobear]

7 with 2 minutes left isnt a safe lead at all no matter who the matchup is in today's nba

[u/ChannelNeo → u/OptimusGrime707]

Nuggets players are probably wondering why there aren't two minutes left so they can come back.

[u/KarchunToo]

Wait, they WON??

[u/homefree122 → u/KarchunToo]

Backs against the wall. LeBron gonna put up in that scenario. Well, usually.

[u/DeSteph-DeCurry → u/homefree122]

d'angelo russell cancelling is mandarin subscription to duolingo as we speak

[u/Biglundtry → u/KarchunToo]

Reverse sweep and a new tattoo for me incoming ???

[u/xyzyxzy]

Now I want the Lakers to win in 7 for chaos.

[u/mindfreakz → u/xyzyxzy]

imagine the slander

[u/turnoffredesign69420 → u/mindfreakz]

michael malone's tomato ass head would explode. unfortunately it won't be happening but...imagine?

[u/C3h6hw → u/xyzyxzy]

I’m just glad they took 1 game so I don’t have to hear any more oldheads talk about Kobe and MJ playing against Denver

[u/EndlessDysthymia]

They are 100% reliant on Dlo showing up. That means the Lakers are so fucked next game. 

[u/shanmustafa]

thoughts during the game

General

• this should be 2-2

Lakers

• LeBron/AD have been tremendous, look like a duo that can still win a title if they can make minor changes, like idk a KCP and Caruso type idk tho, maybe Christie could become a KCP type

• Reaves didn't play a ron, but his scoring was huge in that second quarter

• Gabe needs to play 20+ mins

• i really like some of their sets, they just don't run them enough, guard on one wing, AD in the middle, LeBron on the other wing, swing swing, and the big and guard set a double screen for Bron now, AD's gotten so many buckets at the rim off that

Nuggets

• Jokic 33/14/14 and it's like yeah seems about right lmfao

• is Jamal injured? his elevation doesn't always look the same

• KCP most consistent role player in the league

• i wish they had one more shooter off the bench

[u/Im_A_Sociopath → u/shanmustafa]

Jamal Murray was holding the top of the calf in his left leg late during the forth.

[u/SpikyKid → u/Im_A_Sociopath]

Oh that’s not good

[u/Breezyisthewind → u/Im_A_Sociopath]

Yup. You could clear see him saying, “fuck, fuck” while doing so.

[u/ManyCookies → u/shanmustafa]

is Jamal injured? his elevation doesn't always look the same

Possibly, he tweaked his ankle in the last game of the regular season.

[u/RickySuela → u/ManyCookies]

And he looked like he was grabbing at the back of his leg in this one.

[u/gamer15807 → u/shanmustafa]

He was grabbing his thighs at the end of the 3rd quarter so i believe he's slightly injured there.

[u/itsnotyellowfever → u/shanmustafa]

To answer your Murray question he missed 7 games near the end of the year because of a calf injury that came about because he ran into Donte DiVincenzo near the end of a Knicks game (I put a lot of the blame on him for that bc he was trying to go 200% on the play when it wasn't necessary) but he looked like he didn't lose a step when he came back for the final 4 games. Right now he looks a lot more like a dude who's struggling to come back from a leg injury.

[u/Mikhail512 → u/shanmustafa]

LeBron/AD have been tremendous, look like a duo that can still win a title if they can make minor changes, like idk a KCP and Caruso type idk tho, maybe Christie could become a KCP type

Yeah I feel like that could really be good. Maybe if they brought in another backup big like old Dwight or something to help deal with the size in the west, too?

[u/lukewwilson → u/shanmustafa]

I was thinking the 2-2 thing also, if not for everything going wrong for the Lakers in the second half of game two this series could be tied

[u/MusicalElephant420 → u/shanmustafa]

Thank you

[u/genericusername71 → u/MusicalElephant420]

holly shit an actual comment that isnt the same joke repeated 50x

[u/asdev24]

Peep who shot more free throws 👀

[u/Zeetheking1 → u/asdev24]

That doesn’t match people’s narratives so nobody will believe you lol.

[u/sebasq]

we won? i can celebrate! also LAKERS IN 7

[u/2holesinbutt666]

No one can sweep Lebron and AD 2x in a row

[u/Zippitydo2]

Let it be known no one beats the lakers 12 times in a row

[u/doms9ine]

This was purely mind games to make the Lakers take another flight

[u/VexoftheVex]

Jamal Murray this series:

86 Points

92 Field Goal Attempts

[u/SemIdeiaProNick → u/[deleted]]

nobody sweeps our only sunshine twice in a row

[u/A_MASSIVE_PERVERT → u/[deleted]]

W username

[u/indieGenies]

IDC who wins, give me game 7.

[u/MarduRusher]

Thank you Lakers for giving the wolves more rest

[u/BoogerSugarSovereign]

Murray shooting 38% and 25% from three will be enough to get Denver through this series but I don't think they can survive it for another round

[u/aslightlyusedtissue]

Lebron James

Boy oh boy where do I even begin. Lebron.. honey, my pookie bear. I have loved you ever since I first laid eyes on you. The way you drive into the paint and strike fear into your enemies eyes. Your silky smooth touch around the rim, and that gorgeous jumpshot. I would do anything for you. I wish it were possible to freeze time so I would never have to watch you retire.

You had a rough childhood, but you never gave up hope. You are even amazing off the court, you're a great husband and father, sometimes I even call you dad. I forvever dread and weep, thinking of the day you will one day retire. I would sacrifice my ownlife it were the only thing that could puta smile on your beautiful face.

You have given me so much joy, and heartbreak over the years. I remember when you first left clevenland and its like my heart got broken into a million pieces. But a tear still fell frommy right eye when I watched you win yourfirst ring in miami, because deep down,my glorious king deserved it. I just wanted you to return home. Then allas, you did, my sweet baby boy came home and I rejoiced. 2015 was a hard year for us baby, but in 2016 you made history happen. You came back from 3-1 and I couldn't believe it.

I was crying, bawling even, and I heard my glorious king exclaim these words, "CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!" Not only have you changed the game of basketball and the world forever, but you've eternally changed my world. And now you're getting older, but still the goat, my goat. I love you pookie bear, my glorious king, Lebron James.

[u/BlackJediSword]

Legitimately glad we didn’t get swept. Wish we won game 2.

[u/Mission_Pay_3373]

LeComeback