Travel here has mainly done the same in the last two seasons, with the Lakers showing signs that they could have found ways to exploit the disabilities of nuggets only for Denver to slam the door and execute the same script.
Eight consecutive times in the past two seasons, including five in the playoffs, the Lakers have come to Denver and left with a defeat, unable to eliminate Nuggets.
But during these eight games, the Lakers have never been so consistent as if they were on Saturday, so locked up in a match plan that they played almost in error-free basketball. Never above Nikola Jokic As they did on Saturday, forcing the MVP quarter to draw the knee passes from the cutters or in the first row.
Find out more: With Luka Dovi Out, LeBron James and Austin perform the Lakers in front of Portland
And the Lakers never had Luka Donic During this sequence.
In his fifth game since his acquisition in a Shocking trade for Anthony DavisDononic looked completely at home. Even after his first blow managed to reach anything, Doncic has found his place.
He drained three-three. He has zipped passes on the ground. He threw lobs.
He dominated.
Lakers checked the Denver Nuggets significantly during 123-100 victory on SaturdaySomething they have not achieved from the NBA 2020 qualifiers. Dononic marked 32 to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists.
LeBron JamesThe recipient of a magnificent stadium pass early and a lob later, scored 25 points. Austin Reaves collected 23 points and Rui Hachimura scored 21 points for Lakers (34-21).
The defensive gaming plan of the Lakers was as impressive as the offensive assault, if not more. They forced 21 reversals from Denver with Hachimura, James, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt relentlessly denying the ball.
Jokic only fired seven times, endearing his lower season for attempts. He finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds for Denver (37-20).
The defeat ended the sequence of nine consecutive victories of Denver.
Register for our weekly newsletter on everything related to Lakers.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
