Lakers and LeBron can’t handle the power of Nuggets and Jokic

lebron james He lost his gaze during the final break and was left frowning on the bench, helpless in the face of what he saw on the court. denver nuggets Despite trying to shut out the Lakers multiple times at +15 early in the final quarter, the purple and gold could no longer recover from that. The champion begins an ambitious journey to become a dynasty on a winning horse. Nikola Jokicconfused by multiple cards in their first challenge to the Lakers (114-103) jokerHe recorded 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Privileged spirit and perfect execution 2-time MVPIt could be three times in a matter of days, but it beat LeBron’s incredible effort. anthony davisrecorded 27 points, six sacks, and eight basket passes. King And Ceja had 32 points and 14 rebounds.

Davis boasted in his preview that the Lakers had other plans in place. Or maybe it wasn’t bragging, and he had their back by saying he was going to do the best he could. And at this point, and given what we’ve seen so far, those wearing the purple and gold can only hope to do the best they can against the team that dominated last year’s league. Looks like you want it. conference finals And the last time he will beat an opponent he hasn’t beaten in over 500 days will be in 2022.

Yet another disappointing loss when a Los Angeles team was looking forward to it. 12 point advantage In the first part. But how many times has this story been repeated between the two teams, with Jokic always finding a solution?

A thoughtful game plan, a variety of defenses and a determined double team chase the Serb, but he proves night after night that he and his brain are faster and his strongest muscle is himself. brain.

No matter what you protect Rui Hachimura Anthony Davis protecting the rim is a good strategy to counter that, and Jokic is constantly reading the play, calling in help at the right moment, setting screens at the exact angle, and doing whatever he knows how to do. There are many other ways to end up.

“You can’t stop it. You just slow it down,” the Lakers coach warned. durvin hamDuring the game.

“We played well, but we can play better,” LeBron said. “Against them, especially at home, there’s not much margin for error,” added 23.

Like another Nuggets host, jamal murray That rebellious star doesn’t care about the yearly scorn. all star In the playoffs, they will raise their level to the heights of Denver. Canadian point guard 22 points, 10 assists, Just when Eyebrow might have thought he had Murray under control, it showed the confidence he had in taking a 3-pointer off the nose of Anthony Davis.

Everyone delivered for Denver, with Michael Porter Jr. scoring 19 points and Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each scoring 12 points.Lakers with Austin Reeves D’Angelo Russell They each scored 13 points, with Taurean Prince scoring 11 points.

Against the same team that started the year in a slump, DLO put their past behind them with a very poor 6-of-20 from the field and 1-of-9 on triples.

The fast and frenetic pace that the Nuggets impose feels very strong on their team. 1,600 meters above sea levelended up dismantling the Lakers, who lost the rebound battle to Denver 49-40.

“We have to go out and run at home,” the Colorado team’s coach warned. michael malone, after the game. “We don’t want to play half-court basketball. We scored 21 points on the fast break, which is a lot for a playoff game,” Malone added.

I have a nickname on the street. “Laker Papa”Whether he’s a stern, loud-mouthed professor on the court or a veteran wrap-party player with a hangover voice, the Denver coach raises his kids to be Lakers and proves that nickname true. That’s going to happen.In celebration, he bull-fighted as much as he pleased against those dressed in purple and gold, desperate but unyielding before Nikola Jokic and his band.