It’s Game 3 of the first-round series between the Lakers and Nuggets, as the series moves to Los Angeles for the next two games with LA trailing Denver 2-0. An extremely disappointing loss on Monday night saw a Jamal Murray buzzer-beater complete a 20-point second-half Denver comeback.
What followed was a lot of frustration within the Laker organization, from LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell complaining about officiating after the game to AD and head coach Darvin Ham disagreeing about Davis’ comments that the Lakers do not know what they are doing at times.
Tonight, all that has to be put behind them in order to get a win and avoid facing a 3-0 deficit. Despite reports of their imminent returns, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood remain out. Everyone else is expected to be available.
Keep Feeding AD
Anthony Davis was superb in Game 2. That is, until he stopped getting the ball late in the game. LA found real success in the LeBron/AD pick-and-roll and went away from it too much down the stretch, which ultimately cost them a 20-point lead and what may prove to have been a crucial game. The Lakers can’t afford to settle or go away from it tonight. Davis has been dominant in this series – they have to utilize him and play through him at all times. Tonight is a must-win for the Lakers and they need to maximize their star big man if they want to get back into this series.
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves has really struggled to start the series. The Lakers need more from him, especially on the offensive end. Reaves has been cold to start this series, and that has to change for LA to have any chance of winning it. D’Angelo Russell had a huge Game 2, and LA will be hoping for a big Game 3 performance from Reaves.
There is no better time to recapture that shooting touch than in front of a home crowd. Can LA bounce back from that heartbreaking loss they suffered in Denver? Tip-off is at 7PST as the Lakers look to protect their home court and reduce the series deficit to 2-1.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login