Without LeBron James, still hampered by his ankle, but with Anthony Davis, the Lakers welcome the Nuggets to play one of the most important matches, if not the most important, of their season. Relegated to 11th place in the Western Conference, and therefore virtually eliminated from the “play-in”, after their recent loss to the Pelicans, the Angelinos face an urgent need to win.
The start of the game carries reassuring signals for the Lakers, who are developing a nice offensive game (11 assists for 12 baskets), in the momentum of a very good Anthony Davis, who is playing only his second game since his return from injury . The strong winger scored 12 points in the first quarter, but quickly joined the bench to relieve the pain in his right foot, still recalcitrant and which caused him to miss 18 games. Side Denver, Nikola Jokic made Nikola Jokic: 10 points and 7 rebounds. And the Nuggets, as often, unfold their polished offensive game (9/18), despite 7 loss of balls.
After a first quarter of observation (28-24), the two teams move up a gear during the second quarter: the Nuggets plant 38 points, at 14/25, the Lakers register 33, at 15/25 .
For the visitors, it is above all Aaron Gordon (18 points at half-time) and the duo of substitutes DeMarcus Cousins – Bones Hyland (8 points each) who hold the house, while Nikola Jokic faces foul problems . The locals rely on Anthony Davis (17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks, although clearly hampered by his foot) and Russell Westbrook (14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists). At the break, Denver took a very slight lead (61-62).
The return from the locker room is the continuity of the end of the first period: the third quarter is a new festival of attack: 33 points on both sides, at 14/23 for Denver and 14/21 for Los Angeles, which fact that the gap is the same as at half-time, after 36 minutes (+1, 96-95 in favor of the Nuggets). The strong men of the first half continue to shine: the “Joker” signs a quarter with 14 points (28 points and 15 rebounds after three quarters), “AD” is him with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 7 rebounds when Russell Westbrook is in 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Then comes the fourth and last quarter, very often the weak point of the “Purple & Gold” this season. And not to change… Frank Vogel’s men actually miss their last act: only 24 points scored, at 8/23, for 34 points against (10/16 for Denver). Always fragile in defense, the Lakers can no longer count on their attack to limit the damage: after an excellent passage from “Boogie”, then from Will Barton, Denver flies away to an authoritative victory (129-118, 57.3% on shots on the meeting).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Rackets with holes. Cumulatively, the two teams have conceded 128 points in the paint: 68 for the Lakers, 60 for Denver. This is certainly partly explained by the two cards from the star interiors, who dominated near the basket (38 points from Nikola Jokic, 28 points from Anthony Davis), but the totals remain quite implausible. When NBA clubs aren’t defending, they aren’t faking it.
– The Lakers seriously under threat of missing the “play-in”. The loss to the Pelicans was very bad for their hopes of “play-in”, this one against Denver may have buried them for good. Now holders of a sad record of 31 wins and 47 losses, the Lakers have two defeats more than the Spurs, 10th (32-45). Worse, LeBron James and his band can even be doubled by their Californian neighbors, the Kings, current 12th and who have “only” two fewer wins (29-49). It is undoubtedly time for the ordeal that is this 2021-22 season to end for the Angelinos.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Nikola Jokic. “MVPesque” performance for the reigning MVP. The Serbian pivot pulverized the Lakers’ semblance of defense, to which he did everything: 38 points (15/22), 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Negative point: 7 balls lost, but the final victory demotes this figure to the rank of a simple detail. It will be difficult to dethrone the “Joker” for the trophy for the best player of the season.
✅ Anthony Davis. For his second match only, after an absence of 18 matches linked to a right foot injury, the strong winger fought like a devil. He approaches, in pain, the triple-double: 28 points (at 11/25), 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
✅ Will Barton et Aaron Gordon. In the second curtain, behind Nikola Jokic, the two players ensured in the role of lieutenants. The first by his external address (25 points, 6/8 at 3-points), decisive in particular in the last quarter, the second by his qualities as a jack of all trades (24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists) .
✅ Russell Westbrook. Very good game of “Brodie” against Denver. The leader flirts with the triple-double: 27 points at 11/15, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Above all, his attitude was very good, his decision-making too, he showed commitment and determination. A performance to note in his very complicated season.
⛔️ The external address of both teams. If the overall address of the two teams was excellent (57.3% for Denver, 53.3% for Los Angeles), we can not say that this is explained by their outside shots. In this exercise, Nuggets like Lakers have severely failed: 12/31 for the former, 6/20 for the latter.
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (31-47) : Tuesday, trip to Phoenix
Denver (47-32) : reception of the Spurs, Tuesday
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