Coaches pass, players arrive and leave, but the Lakers cannot reverse their curse with the Nuggets. This time was no different either. Denver once again beat the Angelenos by a resounding 102-127 and with Nikola Jokic’s umpteenth performance.
The Nuggets (9-6) have not only eliminated the Lakers in the last two playoffs (4-0 in 2023 and 4-1 in 2024) but, counting the playoffs and the regular season, Denver has defeated the of LeBron James in 13 of his last 14 games.
The key on this occasion came in the third quarter with a ruinous 15-37 that sank the hopes of the Lakers (10-6).
JJ Redick’s men came from a major disappointment after losing on Thursday against the Orlando Magic with a three-pointer by Franz Wagner in the last seconds and now, with two consecutive defeats at home, they will pack their bags to play six of their next seven games at home .
Jokic was once again a torment for the Lakers and excelled with 34 points (12 of 20 in shots, 3 of 7 in triples), 13 rebounds and 8 assists. The Nuggets were so superior that they didn’t even blame their star’s 6 turnovers.
In ‘back-to-back’ after losing on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks (120-123), the Nuggets, with six players in double figures in scoring, had 24 points and 11 rebounds from Michael Porter Jr., 16 points from Christian Braun, 14 points from Jamal Murray and 14 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists in just 24 minutes from a frenetic and fantastic Russell Westbrook taking revenge on his former set.
Mike Malone’s offense was dynamite with 61% in field goals and 50% in triples (16 of 32).
For the Lakers, with 44.3% shooting from the field and 36.1% from three-point range, Austin Reaves was the top scorer with 19 points and 6 assists. LeBron James finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and Anthony Davis had his worst performance of the season against Jokic with 14 points (6 of 19) and 10 rebounds.
The same old story
With 11 points and 7 rebounds in the first quarter alone, Jokic wasted no time in making it clear who was the master of the zone. In front of him, Davis was left with only 2 points and 3 rebounds in that initial period.
The Nuggets also took advantage of Braun’s 10 points to take a 27-31 lead. For the Lakers, the only inspired player in that quarter was Reaves with 12 points. The rest of the Angelenos? 6 of 19 shooting among all.
Fortunately for the Lakers, Jokic has to rest from time to time and those minutes are clearly Denver’s Achilles heel. Tonight was no exception.
The Serbian genius went to the bench with a +4 and when he returned four minutes later he found himself at -8 (46-38) after a 19-7 run for the Lakers. The one who took advantage of those minutes the most was LeBron, who scored 9 points in that second quarter.
The return of Jokic and Murray stopped the bleeding, but the balance of the second units was very unbalanced at halftime with 19 points from the Lakers’ reserves to only 6 from the Nuggets.
With all this, the Lakers closed the first half ahead 63-57 after a 36-26 lead in the second quarter. Reaves (14 points) and LeBron (13) led the purple and gold while Jokic (17 points and 9 rebounds), Braun (12) and Murray (11) responded for the visitors.
A partial 0-8 start was just the beginning of the Lakers’ ordeal in the third quarter, in which the Nuggets passed them by.
A brutal 15-37 partial summed up the Lakers’ terrible presentation in that third quarter. Disconnected, misplaced and unfocused, the Angelenos accumulated 6 turnovers, crashed to a terrifying 5 of 20 in shooting and made unjustifiable defensive errors.
In the Nuggets, life couldn’t be more different. Porter Jr. scored with 13 points, Westbrook did not stop giving assists and the team in general had a shooting festival with 68.2% in field goals (15 of 22) with 55.6% in triples (5 of 9).
At 78-94, the game ended in the last quarter and the difference for the Nuggets reached +23 with the duel about to be resolved quickly.
There was a timid threat of a comeback but the margin was never reduced to 16 points and the Lakers, repeating the usual story, once again lowered their heads against the Nuggets.
Analyzing the Lakers’ roster construction, is their current supporting cast complementary enough to maximize LeBron James’s and Anthony Davis’s impact, or should the front office prioritize acquiring specific skillsets (e.g., shooting, defense) to build a more well-rounded team around their stars?
## Lakers vs Nuggets: Open-Ended Discussion Questions
This article highlights the Lakers’ continued struggles against the Denver Nuggets. Let’s delve deeper into the key themes presented:
**I. The Lakers-Nuggets Rivalry:**
* **Beyond the Stats:** The article states the Nuggets have dominated the Lakers recently. Is there a psychological factor at play here, or are the Nuggets simply a better-matched team right now?
* **Turning the Tide:** What specific changes could the Lakers implement to break this losing streak against Denver? Could it be roster adjustments, coaching strategies, or something else entirely?
* **Historical Context:**
How does this rivalry compare to other historic NBA matchups? Does it have the potential to become a truly defining rivalry in the league?
**II. Nikola Jokic’s Dominance:**
* **Unstoppable Force:** Jokic consistently dominates against the Lakers. What makes him such a difficult matchup for them specifically? Is there a defensive scheme that could potentially limit his impact?
* **MVP Caliber:** Is Jokic the best player in the league right now? How does his playstyle and impact on the game compare to other top contenders?
* **Impact Beyond Stats:** How does Jokic elevate the play of his teammates? How does his presence impact the Nuggets’ overall offensive and defensive schemes?
**III. The Lakers’ Performance & Future:**
* **Addressing Weaknesses:** The article points out the Lakers’ poor third-quarter performance and struggles against the Nuggets’ bench. What underlying issues could be contributing to these problems?
* **Finding Solutions:** Considering their recent losses, what are some realistic goals the Lakers should be focusing on achieving this season?
* **Championship Aspirations:** Can this Lakers team, as currently constructed, realistically compete for a championship? What moves, if any, could they make to improve their chances?
**IV. The Importance of Supporting Cast:**
* **Impact of Role Players:** The article highlights the contributions of Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. How crucial are these supporting players in Denver’s success?
* **Lakers’ Needs:** What type of supporting player would best compliment LeBron James and Anthony Davis? What skills and attributes should the Lakers prioritize when making roster moves?
**V. Coaching and Strategy:**
* **Matching Up:** Did the Lakers’ coaching staff make any tactical errors against the Nuggets? How could they better prepare their team to face Denver’s strengths?
* **Adapting to Opponents:** How important is it for coaches to adjust their game plans based on the unique challenges posed by different opponents?
* **Player Development:** What role does coaching play in developing young players and helping them reach their full potential?
By exploring these open-ended questions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the Lakers-Nuggets rivalry, Nikola Jokic’s dominance, and the Lakers’ challenges moving forward.