In the NBA Playoffs, Darvin Ham, the Lakers’ coach has consistently, and very strategically planned and executed their games, by rotating players, adjusting their game plans, and shifting their focus when necessary. They did it brilliantly with the Warriors.
Last week, the Lakers were able to defeat the Warriors. All thanks to their use of a smaller three-guard unit. But on Tuesday, it did not work on the Nuggets who were faster and larger. Bringing in Schroder against the Warriors may have worked in their favour, but not for this game against the Nuggets.
The Nugget Strength at NBA Playoffs Final Game 1
The Nuggets and Nikola Jokic were too large and tough on the glass for the first five players on the court,. They quickly took control of the game and won it 132-126. The Nuggets made a strong start to build a mountain for the Lakers that could become too steep for the Lakers to climb.
The Nuggets won against the Lakers 132-126 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday at Ball Arena. It was an incredible Nikola Jokic, with 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists. With Game 2 scheduled for Thursday, the Nuggets have a 1-0 series advantage. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21 points, with Jamal Murray contributing 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
NBA Playoffs Final Game 1 Highlights
Nine of Denver’s first 11 missed attempts resulted in offensive rebounds, with Jokic snatching up essentially every one of them. The Lakers were down by 24-14 when they made their first change. In that time, Denver grabbed seven of its 15 offensive rebounds.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 40 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the Nuggets. LeBron James scored 26, pulled down 12 boards, and made 9 assists. With 1:12 left, the Lakers were within 3 points, but they were unable to make the game-winning shot to beat the top seed. A fourth attempt from James from beyond the arc failed to fall.
The pace was set by the Nuggets. The court signs and the Nuggets’ public address announcer frequently reminded the Lakers that they were 5,280 feet above sea level.
The Lakers Fightback in Finals Game 1
A successful in-game adjustment from Ham in the second half, by replacing D’Angelo Russell with Rui Hachimura, started off a push midway through the third quarter. The Lakers started to reduce the gap as they saw they could score on the Nuggets at the rim, but the early disadvantage was too much.
Lately, Hachimura lined up with Jokic, allowing Davis to block Aaron Gordon of Denver while going for the rim on the other end. Off the bench, Hachimura scored 17 points. Russell had a net negative 25 for the game.
There should be cause for hope given the Lakers’ finest offensive performances. James pursued mismatches and consistently used force to attack them. Davis managed to get to his locations and encountered few obstacles in the paint.
The Lakers only had seven turnovers while matching the Nuggets’ explosive field-goal and three-point shooting.
Jokic ran up the floor, dribbling right at Davis, as the Lakers had just scored six straight points during an 11-2 run to prevent a blowout from engulfing them. When the third-quarter buzzer sounded, the Denver big man and two-time most valuable player shot a 28-footer that miraculously swished through the net as Davis surrounded him with flawless defence.
“He’s very skilled. There was nothing else I could have done after that shot.” Davis observed.
James final attempt to tie the game with a three-pointer failed to go in the basket and for the first time in this postseason, the Lakers are trailing behind in a series.
