The Denver Nuggets secured a commanding 114-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs on Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The win gives the Nuggets a 1-0 lead in the series as they aim to progress further in the postseason.
Drawing from their experience against the Golden State Warriors in last season’s playoffs, the Lakers attempted to steal Game 1 on the road to gain an early advantage. Their strategy involved assigning forward Rui Hachimura to guard the Nuggets’ star center Nikola Jokic. This defensive approach was designed to preserve the energy of Anthony Davis by sparing him from the physically taxing task of guarding Jokic throughout the game. Davis remained ready to provide help defense, while the Lakers implemented quick double-teams on Jokic whenever he operated from the high post.
However, the plan did not yield the desired results. Jokic, showcasing his MVP-caliber skills, dominated the game with a triple-double performance, scoring 31 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out 9 assists. The Lakers struggled to contain his offensive prowess, and the Nuggets capitalized on the defensive mismatches.
Rui Hachimura, the Japanese forward contributing to the Lakers’ efforts, provided valuable minutes but faced a challenging assignment in guarding Jokic. Despite his athleticism and defensive capabilities, the physicality and versatility of Jokic proved difficult to manage.
The Lakers will need to reassess their strategy as they prepare for Game 2. Adjustments may include different defensive schemes or rotations to better counter the Nuggets’ offensive threats. Anthony Davis, a key component of the Lakers’ success, may have to take on more responsibility in guarding Jokic despite the physical demands.
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Monday, where the Lakers will have another opportunity to level the series before it shifts to Los Angeles.
Reference(s):
NBA highlights on April 20: Lakers' policy against Nuggets fails
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