By Ricardo Lopez Juarez
Apr 28, 2024, 00:38 AM EDT
After three games in the series in which they blew double-digit leads, The Los Angeles Lakers finally managed to complete a game against the Denver Nuggets, whom they beat 119-108 on Saturday to avoid elimination in the NBA playoffs. The first round series is 3-1.
The Lakers, driven by their fans at the Crypto.com Arena, once again had outstanding performances from LeBron James (30 points) and Anthony Davis (25). But the big difference this time was that they improved a lot in rebounding, beating Denver 46-40. Davis scored exactly half of his team’s rebounds (23).
It was game 19 for James as his team faced elimination in the playoffs. His average of over 33 points per game in games of that nature is the best in NBA history.
LA had not beaten Denver since December 2022. The 11-game losing streak included the four-game sweep in the Western Conference finals series the previous year.
Lakers were not overwhelmed this time in the second half
“I think the third period was very important,” LeBron James said after the game. His team was dominated in the second half of each of the previous three games.
Denver won the third leg this Saturday by two points, but Los Angeles did not break down and was able to maintain its first half lead to enter the fourth quarter up 91-80.
After four games, Los Angeles has had the lead on the scoreboard for 139 minutes of the series. Denver has done it for 43 minutes.
D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves each contributed 21 points for the Lakers. Russell went scoreless the previous game. Nikola Jokic had a triple-double for the Nuggets with 33 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists, but the defending NBA champions didn’t have the energy and customary execution. They have three more chances to advance to the second round.
Lakers already won, but they are still on an impossible mission
The Lakers, of course, have no margin for error. By the way, No team in history has risen from an 0-3 deficit in the NBA playoffs.
“It’s a one-game series for us,” stressed James, who practically sealed the victory with less than three minutes remaining when he stole a ball from Jokic and then went to the rim and scored on a dunk. “Monday’s game is the most important of the season for us.”
That game 5 will be back in Denver, where the Lakers are going to have to play hard for 48 minutes if they want to extend their campaign.
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