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

[dWadeOwnzYou]

I think they might have figured out the Nuggets for real this time. J/K aside, I think tonight game can come out in two ways...

1. The Lakers comes out strong, showing some pride and building another huge lead, enough to withstand the Nuggets 4qtr rally and win it this time...making it a series.
2. Another close back and forth game from the start and showing heart from the Lakers as the Nuggets going for the knock out punch and the Lakers lose a close one...and their season.

I fail to see this Laker team will just roll-over and quit...they never did last year.

[EmpireFalls]

I think they might have figured out the Nuggets for real this time. J/K aside, I think tonight game can come out in two ways...

1. The Lakers comes out strong, showing some pride and building another huge lead, enough to withstand the Nuggets 4qtr rally and win it this time...making it a series.
2. Another close back and forth game from the start and showing heart from the Lakers as the Nuggets going for the knock out punch and the Lakers lose a close one...and their season.

I fail to see this Laker team will just roll-over and quit...they never did last year.

The Lakers definitely won’t roll over, of course - this is their season, after all, they know it’s a must win game and it’s their first playoff home game… but I think that’s a team who is mentally defeated and everyone knows it. If they are down midway through the 3rd watch for the heads to drop and the crowd to start the groaning. I don’t see them winning another game, they have lost all belief.

[EArl]

If the Nuggets win today, Lakers are getting swept. They need to win these next two and make it a series.

[LeBronSpaghetti]

It would be nice to see Jamal Murray play well. His last two shots of game 2 covered up how off his shooting has been so far in the playoffs.

[GeorgeSears]

It would be nice to see Jamal Murray play well. His last two shots of game 2 covered up how off his shooting has been so far in the playoffs.

Austin Reaves has done a great job on him. Obviously, Murray has missed some open shots, but Reaves is playing his ass off.

[GeorgeSears]

I think they might have figured out the Nuggets for real this time. J/K aside, I think tonight game can come out in two ways...

1. The Lakers comes out strong, showing some pride and building another huge lead, enough to withstand the Nuggets 4qtr rally and win it this time...making it a series.
2. Another close back and forth game from the start and showing heart from the Lakers as the Nuggets going for the knock out punch and the Lakers lose a close one...and their season.

I fail to see this Laker team will just roll-over and quit...they never did last year.

One interesting adjustment to look for: When the Nuggets switched AG onto AD in the 3rd quarter, the Lakers had a hard time adjusting to that. Now that they had 3 days to mull it over, if AD starts heating up on Jokic again early in this game, the Nuggets will put AG back on him and how will the Lakers adapt to that will be the key.

MPJ and KCP are going to take turns on LeBron and Jokic will have to guard Rui in the corner. That's going to put pressure on Rui to hit 3s and LeBron to attack.

[DorianRo]

If you're the Lakers it simple. Feed AD all game and play the "outside-in" game. Its pathetic he got like 2 touches in the 4th after he had 200 points on 98 percent shooting the first 3 quarters. Lebron needs to defer. LeHero mode doesn't work when you're 40

If AD doesn't get touches tonight, I wouldn't even play Game 4 if I were him. I will just do "Screw you guys, I'm out, enjoy getting swept again when you didn't have to"

[darkse1d]

Media when Suns are down 0-2: Suns are done, it's a sweep, KD and booker are chokers etc

Media when Lakers are down 0-2: Lakers are winning the next 2 at home and will beat the Nuggets in 6.

[DorianRo]

Lakers needed that Game 2. No way they can win 4 of the next 5

[Jaqua92]

Murray is due for a heater. AD is due for a sub 30 point game or a sub 50% shooting game.

LA may get their only win. But Denver hadn't even brought their best yet. And according to Malone, there's a lot of game planning they've done they have dipped into.

As much as this could go to LA, Denver is honestly due for a "good" game.

Real good shot they go up 11+ in the first quarter and just maintain a 15-20 point lead most of the night.

Due for a blowout.

[Jaqua92]

I think they might have figured out the Nuggets for real this time. J/K aside, I think tonight game can come out in two ways...

1. The Lakers comes out strong, showing some pride and building another huge lead, enough to withstand the Nuggets 4qtr rally and win it this time...making it a series.
2. Another close back and forth game from the start and showing heart from the Lakers as the Nuggets going for the knock out punch and the Lakers lose a close one...and their season.

I fail to see this Laker team will just roll-over and quit...they never did last year.

One interesting adjustment to look for: When the Nuggets switched AG onto AD in the 3rd quarter, the Lakers had a hard time adjusting to that. Now that they had 3 days to mull it over, if AD starts heating up on Jokic again early in this game, the Nuggets will put AG back on him and how will the Lakers adapt to that will be the key.

MPJ and KCP are going to take turns on LeBron and Jokic will have to guard Rui in the corner. That's going to put pressure on Rui to hit 3s and LeBron to attack.

Denver has a variety of adjustments in the bank they haven't unrolled yet.

They've also been god awful. Genuinely kinda feels like Denver has been treating games 1 and 2 like a warmup.

If LA brings their best, AND Denver brings their best, LA gets smoked.

And the simple fact is, Denver is due for a great game these playoffs - they haven't had one yet.

If they bring that tonight, LA is getting blownout

[Mamba Mentality]

Only silver lining in that game 2 choke job, and probably this series, is AD chewing out Ham. There is no way Jeanie can just brush this under the rug. Can this idiot and give this team one last chance to contend.

[VanWest82]

What's the over/under on fouls and FT advanatage for Lakers in this one? I'm going with 7 less fouls and 12 more FTAs.

[OriginalRed]

Hope Denver can start off the game without going down big again, I don't think they'll be able to come back from being down huge again with the home cooking.

[JRoy]

What's the over/under on fouls and FT advanatage for Lakers in this one? I'm going with 7 less fouls and 12 more FTAs.

Refs gotta get to work.

[Badlands]

What's the over/under on fouls and FT advanatage for Lakers in this one? I'm going with 7 less fouls and 12 more FTAs.

Are you really complaining about the referees before the game even starts??

[GeorgeSears]

What's the over/under on fouls and FT advanatage for Lakers in this one? I'm going with 7 less fouls and 12 more FTAs.

Meh, if Lakers had +10 FTAs that wouldn't bother me.

The only thing that bothers me is foul trouble to the starters.

[Potential]

It's time for another Father's Day action!

[Wolfgang630]

Why is Denver starting every game off like dog ****

[jehosafats]

Pretty authoritative start for the Lakers