Anthony Davis sat at the podium in his present absence. He was available to answer variations of how Monday night’s loss — a 101-99 heartbreaker to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round series — happened, but unavailable in his presentation. His face was somber and exhausted, and his eyes were cloaked in oversized shades. Davis’ designer PPE couldn’t protect him from the harshness of scrutiny’s spotlight.
“Can you take us through that last play and just what happened and what unfolded?” the reporter asked. “I don’t know if you were screened or what happened on that last play.”
“Jamal Murray made a shot,“ Davis said slamming the microphone on the table.
The screech of the feedback not only shook the air of the room, it also amplified the pain of a blown opportunity to even the series and snap a nine-game losing streak against the defending champs.
Now, the Lakers are in a 0-2 hole, and staring down a must-win Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night. Here are three keys to a bounce-back victory for the Lakers.
Be In The Trap
Los Angeles led most of the way in Game 2, mainly because of their defensive game-plan. Before collapsing late in the third quarter, the Lakers trapped and pressured Nikola Jokic and Murray in various points in the game.
The caveat here is having the discipline and focus to keep the rotations tight. The Lakers’ defense must also contain the Nuggets’ backdoor screens. Running the zone almost to perfection worked in the first half. In Game 3, it needs to work for the entire 48 minutes in order for the Lakers to win.
Rebounding
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham emphasized rebounding as an area of improvement ahead of Game 2. In the first half, it seemed as if the Lakers did just that. The Lakers outrebounded the Nuggets, 22-21, in the first half. In the second half, however, the Nuggets outrebounded the Lakers 24-16.
Denver also converted 10 second-chance points as a byproduct. Those second-chance opportunities and extra possessions helped Denver climb back into Game 2 and escape with the win. The Lakers can’t afford to stop crashing the glass and creating second-chance opportunities in Game 3. They can’t give the Nuggets points in transition as a result of shot turnovers.
More Anthony Davis
Davis was an afterthought in the fourth quarter of Game 2. In his 10 minutes, he only had one shot attempt and didn’t score.
Down the stretch, the Lakers must keep Davis involved. A two-man game between LeBron James and Davis with sprinkles of iso action should put the Lakers in a better position to win.
Davis must also impose his force. Demand and get the ball when there’s a mismatch. The clutch offense for the Lakers is simple: play through AD more. Exploit the various mismatches.
If the Lakers play through Davis down the stretch, limit turnovers and senseless isos, they will end the night down 2-1 with an opportunity to take care of their homecourt in Game 4.
Lakers Injury Report: Final Game 3 Decision Made On 2 Critical Role Players
Will they suit up?
A pair of critical Los Angeles Lakers frontcourt role players will sit out LA’s must-win Game 3 matchup against the Denver Nuggets, as the team’s first round playoff series rolls on tomorrow at Crypto.com Arena.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that both power forward/center Christian Wood and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt will miss the bout. Charania notes that Wood had been intending to come back for his first game action since undergoing a left knee arthroscopic surgery in March.
LA will again have to rely on backup center Jaxson Hayes, who’s given them nothing in this series.
