The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 126-108 on December 16, 2022. Since then, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers have lost 10 games in a row to Denver, including a 4-0 sweep in last year’s Western Conference Finals and two defeats in the opening round of this year’s playoffs.
The Lakers came close to ending the losing streak on Monday in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series, as they led by 20 points in the third quarter. But Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray nailed a fadeaway jumper over Davis as time expired, with the Lakers big man falling in front of the Nuggets bench as teammates mobbed Murray in celebration. The 101-99 win added to the unsolved puzzle the Lakers have in front of them that is the Nuggets.
It starts with the Nuggets’ two-time league MVP and last season’s Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, who punished the Lakers with 27 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 2.
“Obviously, the only game that matters now is Game 3 and how we can get better,” said James after Game 2. “How we can figure this team out. So Game 3 is where my mindset is.”
James was also highly critical of the officiating, arguing questionable calls that went in favor of the Nuggets as well as non-calls impacted the outcome.
“I don’t understand what’s going on in the replay center, to be honest,” a frustrated James said. ”(D’Angelo Russell) clearly gets hit in the face on a drive. What the f–k do we have a replay center for… [?] Makes no sense to me. It bothers me.”
James was referencing a call in the third quarter when Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. was called for a foul on Russell, which was then overturned on a challenge by Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.
“We’ve shown that we’re more than capable,” Anthony Davis said, after scoring 32 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. “We have stretches where we just don’t know what we’re doing on both ends of the floor. And those are the ones that cost us.”
“Remember this feeling as we take it back home to L.A.,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said as a way of motivating the team before game three tonight. “We got to give them that same feeling in Game 3. That needs to be the sole focus. The recovery process has to start now, us filling our cups back up. But Game 3, it’s all about Game 3 right now.”
The recent history between the two teams indicates the Lakers won’t defeat the Nuggets in four of the next five games to win the series. But that’s why the games are played. Game 3 is tonight (10:00 p.m. EST) in Los Angeles and Game 4 is Saturday night in L.A. (8:30 p.m. EST)