2024 NBA Playoffs: West 1st Round: #2 Denver Nuggets vs #7 Los Angeles Lakers (DEN WINS 4-1)

Rafer24 · Post #81 » by **Rafer24** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 5:43 am

At least LeBron and AD are healthier than last year. Let´s see if Ham adjust the defense and if Vando can come back during the series.

I hope we can make it competitive.

BigGargamel · Post #82 » by **BigGargamel** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 5:48 am

People are STILL unironically picking the Lakers? Why? Have you not been paying attention the past two years? This is the easiest matchup Denver could have gotten. They'll easily win this, like they have every other time they've played LA.

Johnny Firpo · Post #83 » by **Johnny Firpo** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 5:56 am

If both teams are healthy, Denver in 5 or 6 is the most likely outcome, but the Lakers will surely win a game or two this time, and make it a somewhat close series.

Johnny Firpo · Post #84 » by **Johnny Firpo** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 5:59 am

Rafer24 wrote:At least LeBron and AD are healthier than last year. Let´s see if Ham adjust the defense and if Vando can come back during the series.

I hope we can make it competitive.

You can't/shouldn't play Vando in this series imo. The only way to beat Denver is to win the three point battle, you have to outshoot them, because they will beat you in shot quality every time, every game. Outrebound them if possible, and outshoot them, meaning take more threes than they do, and try to make a similar percentage of them, as the Nuggets do.

Heej · Post #85 » by **Heej** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:02 am

Johnny Firpo wrote:
Rafer24 wrote:At least LeBron and AD are healthier than last year. Let´s see if Ham adjust the defense and if Vando can come back during the series.

I hope we can make it competitive.

You can't/shouldn't play Vando in this series imo. The only way to beat Denver is to win the three point battle, you have to outshoot them, because they will beat you in shot quality every time, every game. Outrebound them if possible, and outshoot them, meaning take more threes than they do, and try to make a similar percentage of them, as the Nuggets do.

Surely you can avoid necessitating this by winning the free throw battle. Regression to the mean gonna hit like a mack truck this series vs last when it comes to Denver's shotmaking. This is closer than people think even though I voted Denver in 6.

If Lakers can't win Game 1 the series skews heavily towards Denver in 6 imo

B-easy · Post #86 » by **B-easy** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:21 am

Johnny Firpo wrote:You can't/shouldn't play Vando in this series imo. The only way to beat Denver is to win the three point battle, you have to outshoot them, because they will beat you in shot quality every time, every game. Outrebound them if possible, and outshoot them, meaning take more threes than they do, and try to make a similar percentage of them, as the Nuggets do.

Also you should double Jokic and make Denver shoot half contensted 3's. Denver hates shooting 3's.

RRR3 · Post #87 » by **RRR3** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:23 am

Ham has no idea how to beat this Denver team. Lakers will probably get a game or maybe even two this time but Nuggets will win without too much trouble.

Post #88 » by **Mavrelous** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:24 am

BigGargamel wrote:People are STILL unironically picking the Lakers? Why? Have you not been paying attention the past two years? This is the easiest matchup Denver could have gotten. They'll easily win this, like they have every other time they've played LA.

I'm all for the moral voctories jokes, but last year every game was a hard fought game, DEN simply was able to close all of them.
I think this will be more competitive series, and while I favour DEN, wouldn't be shocked if LAL pulls away a 4-2 win.

Manimal · Post #89 » by **Manimal** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:26 am

If they stick Rui on Jokic this series will be light work for the Lakers.

FrobeBryant · Post #90 » by **FrobeBryant** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:31 am

I just hope the Lakers can make it a series or not get swept. Vando would’ve really helped in this series.

Demagoog · Post #91 » by **Demagoog** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:01 am

Denver in 5.

kaansunman · Post #92 » by **kaansunman** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:22 am

I think we'll win at least one game this time and swept like a gentlmen.
Putting different bodies on Jokic and playing zone defense might slow down Jokic. I don't know what can we do to slow down Murray, if he is healthy easy 30 ever night for him.
Targeting Jokic with high pick n rolls and make Murray switch on bigger bodies like LeBron, Rui will be key to wear them down. Lakers need to play the high tempo full court basketball to have a chance.

WestGOAT · Post #93 » by **WestGOAT** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:26 am

Lakers in 6, Nuggets gonna regret that against the Spurs

eyeatoma · Post #94 » by **eyeatoma** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:37 am

Lol, so long Lakers...

Jta444 · Post #95 » by **Jta444** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:44 am

Lakers in 6 or 7. Nuggets lost Bruce Brown. Dlo, Rui and Reaves are much better this year than last year.

Hoopstar23 · Post #96 » by **Hoopstar23** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:59 am

If MPJ is playing well, this will be a sweep and not even close...

NCHeels2008 · Post #97 » by **NCHeels2008** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 8:09 am

JDR720 wrote:The Lakers will totally figure Joker out this time.

Just give AD his 2020 three point range back

NCHeels2008 · Post #98 » by **NCHeels2008** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 8:10 am

As much as I'd love a Lakers series win, I'd guess its Denver in 5

KyRo23 · Post #99 » by **KyRo23** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 8:17 am

I'm just happy to be here honestly :lol:

Tough to bet against Denver in this series

Although I do find it funny that the same people who say that Denver is gonna mop the Lakers also say all season "the NBA wants LA to advance". Cmon Silver, make it happen babyyyyy

Up-And-Coming · Post #100 » by **Up-And-Coming** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 8:20 am

Like I said in the other Nuggets/Lakers thread, as long as Jokic continues to play like the best player and Jamal plays like Playoff-Jamal I don't see the Lakers winning this. Nuggets should and will be the favorites. Of course I'm rooting for the Lakers and I'll give them a slim chance but Game 1 is very important. Regardless I'm glad there's no "ducking" going on.

Who wins?