Jokic with a ridiculous 27-20-10. With his level of play, it’s almost normalized that he can put up a triple-double without anyone batting an eye. He just plays better in the playoff which is hard to do. Best player in the league
Is it strange? Lebron is 39 and the Nuggets are way way way better
The game turned when Davis picked up his 4th foul in the 3rd quarter. He was lighting Jokic up and he didn’t score a bucket the rest of the way.
I think I said this 2 days ago, but the fact that Lakers’ big question is “Can we get the 39 year old to run every offensive possession AND guard Jokic as much as possible?” is basically an existential failure on the FO’s part. Lebron is the only guy on that roster that you can basically pencil in what he’ll give you on a night to night basis, everyone else is a roulette wheel.
But the odds get greatly reduced.
Looking at the PBP in the ESPN box score, LeBron shot the ball with 16.1 seconds to go and MPJ gets the rebound with 12.1 to go. Other than getting a shot clock violation or a loose ball foul, a shot with 6.1 seconds to go is going to leave Denver with around 3 seconds, maybe less because some time will come off while they’re signaling for a time out. Yes, they’ll get to advance the ball and draw up a play, but the Lakers will also have time to prepare their defense.
There are no guarantees, but you’ve lessened your chances of losing in regulation by taking a shot 10 seconds later.
I’m a big LeBron fan, despite his love for Ohio State and him ending the Pistons’ season 3 out of 4 postseason matchups (the reverse of Jordan). Objectively, I don’t think this was his best decision. It didn’t cost the Lakers the game, and he did carry them in the 4th quarter. On a grading scale, it was a B+/B decision.
Thibs has his limitations, but I will say this - his teams are willing to chew their leg off to win a basketball game. Just a complete hustle win last night.
Sure, but the Nuggets has shown that they can kick into high gears. LAL led in double digits twice and lost to them twice. Whatever bugaboo the Nugs has over the LAL, it’s demoralizing for the LAL.
It’s ridiculous how guys like Jokic and Doncic can be so slow and non explosive and they are still just unguardable. Their body control and ability to be so methodical is crazy.
Gus Johnson has been remarkably calm for how crazy Indiana is shooting it all 2nd half
Nuggets Lakers series is much higher quality basketball than this Mavs Clippers series from what I’ve seen
I don’t understand how this game is only in the 3Q. it’s 9pm here in LA. this is too late
Later here
West-coast people complaining about staying up too late for games is crazy
I have a young child!
And I have a constitutional law exam I should be studying for
The real WCF is TWolves-Nuggets next round
What I’m hoping for from Dusty May’s offense:
https://x.com/YourManDevine/status/1783319894383014063
Possible with Wolf. OKC plays 5 out mostly
Are you saying Wolf is an NBA-caliber player?!?