Following the Lakers’ Game 1 loss in Denver, what were the thoughts of LeBron James and Anthony Davis?
Nine matches between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers have occurred in the last sixteen months, with the Nuggets emerging victorious in each case, including last night’s 114-103 Game 1 win against LA. We have rarely seen a squad so obviously have The King’s number in LeBron James’ career. The renowned Golden State Warriors didn’t have as much consistent success against LeBron as the Nuggets have since January 2023, even when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
However, the 21-year-old veteran is aware that there isn’t yet cause for alarm because he has gone through this before.
James remarked matter-of-factly following the game, “I thought we played some good ball tonight, just could have been better,” according to the Associated Press. “Being at home against Denver’s team leaves little opportunity for error. They are merely an experienced staff that has seen it everything. Since they are the reigning champs, it goes without saying that you must play well, make your shots, and defend. You are then unable to gift them additional belongings.
For a good chunk of the game, the Lakers did play some good ball. Thanks to a deep LeBron James three-pointer at the buzzer to end the 1st half, the Lakers went into the halftime locker room with a lead against Denver for the fourth time in their previous nine games against the Nuggets. But just as was the case the previous three times, a 2nd half Colorado avalanche (pun intended) ended up burying the Lakers.
According to Anthony Davis, it was “early turnovers and poor shooting” in the 3rd quarter that doomed the Lakers (h/t Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sports Net), but the Nuggets didn’t start the 3rd quarter on a heater. The Lakers had the opportunities to build on their three-point halftime lead, but weren’t able to do so. It took nearly six minutes before the Nuggets would take the lead on a second-chance opportunity for Michael Porter Jr., who knocked down a triple to give Denver a 72-71 advantage. From that point on, the Nuggets would outscore the Lakers 17-7 to close the 3rd quarter. LA would cut Denver’s lead to just six points halfway through the final frame, but that was the closest they could get.
As LeBron stated, there isn’t much room for error against a team as good as the Denver Nuggets. Take a look at the stats, and you’ll see this as a game the Lakers absolutely could’ve won. LA shot better from the field — 49 percent to 46 percent for Denver — and as usual, they had a noticeable advantage at the free throw line, making twelve more freebies than the Nuggets. Typically, that would be a recipe for success. But the Nuggets outscored the Lakers by 21 points behind the arc, secured nine more offensive rebounds than LA, and committed eight fewer turnovers. The Nuggets played a perfectly clean 2nd half, never once turning the ball over in the final 24 minutes of the game.