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Nuggets on Brink of Sweeping LeBron and Lakers

Apr 26, 2024Author: Klind Parangoni

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of elimination after the Denver Nuggets took a commanding 3-0 series lead in their first-round playoff matchup. This article dives into the details of Game 3, analyzes the dominance of the Nuggets, and explores the challenges faced by LeBron James and his Lakers team.

Veteran Denver Overwhelms Lakers

With a championship pedigree and a seasoned core, the Denver Nuggets have proven to be a nightmare matchup for the Lakers. Aaron Gordon exploded for a career-high 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists to propel the Nuggets to a 112-105 victory. Jamal Murray added 22 points, further solidifying Denver's dominance.

This win marks the Nuggets' 11th consecutive victory over the Lakers, a stat that highlights their recent stranglehold on this rivalry. Despite facing double-digit deficits in all three games, Denver has shown remarkable resilience, clawing their way back and ultimately securing victories.

Jokic Downplays Dominance

Despite the lopsided scorelines, Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic downplayed the ease of their victories. He acknowledged the Lakers' talent and the difficulty of playing the same team repeatedly. This sentiment was echoed by Michael Porter Jr., who emphasized the team's focus on winning each game individually.

The Lakers now face a near-impossible task ā€“ becoming the first team in NBA history to overcome an 0-3 deficit in a playoff series. Anthony Davis (33 points, 15 rebounds) and LeBron James (26 points, 9 assists) provided strong offensive performances, but a lack of supporting cast production and inconsistent three-point shooting hampered their efforts.

Davis Frustrated by Denver's Versatility

Anthony Davis expressed frustration with the Lakers' struggles against Denver's offensive schemes. He highlighted the team's occasional confusion while facing the Nuggets' versatility, a challenge they haven't been able to overcome.

Nuggets on Brink of Sweeping LeBron and Lakers
AP

D'Angelo Russell's scoreless performance in 24 minutes further compounded the Lakers' woes. His inability to contribute offensively alongside James and Davis significantly impacted their chances of success.

Nuggets Look to Close Out Series sweeping the Lakers

With a comfortable 3-0 lead, the Nuggets seem poised to close out the series in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Their championship experience and recent success suggest they might be on their way to another deep playoff run.

While the odds are stacked heavily against them, the Lakers still have a sliver of hope. As Lakers guard Gabe Vincent pointed out, unexpected comebacks have happened before. However, the Nuggets' strong performance and the Lakers' inconsistencies make a comeback highly improbable.

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