“3-0, not 4-0” – Darvin Ham believes ‘there’s still hope’ for the Lakers

LA Lakers coach Darvin Ham was optimistic despite his team going down 3-0 against the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals. The Lakers lost Game 3 at home 119-108 on Saturday. That defeat further dampened their hopes of a comeback to beat the top-seeded Nuggets and advance to the finals.

However, Ham believes the Lakers are pretty much alive until the Nuggets put the series to bed. Here's what he said after Saturday's loss (via The Athletic's Jovan Buha):

"The deficit is 3-0. Not 4-0. As long as they haven’t gotten to four yet, there’s still hope. We’re still alive."

The first-year coach has battled plenty of adversity this season. LA started the season 2-10 and had a 0.3% chance of making the playoffs. Not only did they make it to the postseason, but they're now among the final four teams remaining in the playoffs.

The Purple and Gold defeated the No. 2 seeded Memphis Grizzlies and the defending champions Golden State Warriors to make it to the conference finals. However, their fairytale run is likely coming to an end, despite Darvin Ham having an optimistic approach to the conference finals after being down 3-0.

No team has overturned that deficit in NBA playoffs history. LA has the potential, but the Denver Nuggets have outplayed them at every juncture, and they're unlikely to give up this advantage, considering how clinical they have been in the playoffs.

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Denver Nuggets hand LA Lakers first home loss of the postseason

The LA Lakers had a realistic shot at turning things around at home in games 3 and 4 against the Denver Nuggets. They entered Game 3 unbeaten at home in the postseason, going 7-0, including their play-in tournament win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, the Nuggets continued their dominance on the road against LA with another gritty win. Game 3 was another close contest down the stretch, but Denver was too good with their execution, similar to Games 1 and 2.

The Nuggets took a 12-point first-quarter lead before the Lakers trimmed that advantage and took a one-point lead early in the fourth. However, LA ran out of steam down the stretch and failed to keep up with Denver behind Nikola Jokic's 15-point fourth quarter.

The Nuggets made 60.0% of their shots, including five triples in the final 12 minutes, while holding Darvin Ham's side to 40.9% shooting. Denver had five players tallying double-digit scores, including Jamal Murray's 37-point effort.

LA, meanwhile, had LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves producing 20-point games apiece, but the lack of support from the other players hindered their shot at protecting home court.