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The LA Lakers will look to avoid extending their losing streak to 10 games against the Denver Nuggets when both sides meet at the Ball Arena for Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on Monday (Apr. 22). With the 113-104 loss in the opener, the defending champs have had the better of LA in their last nine matchups.
The backcourt didn't shore up for the Purple and Gold, and their bench was just no match to that of the Nuggets. Unfortunately for the visitors, Denver holds an advantage with just about every factor — individual player matchups, size, and the supporting cast in each position.
What the Lakers should factor is that every team can be beaten and all it takes is one win to get momentum back on their side before the action shifts to the Crypto.com Arena in LA. Ahead of the marquee matchup between both teams, here's a quick look at the five things the Lakers must to to do get even.
5 things LA Lakers must do to bounce back in Game 2 against Denver Nuggets
#5 Darvin Ham must trust his role players with more minutes
LA head coach Darvin Ham took some of the heat off D'Angelo Russell for his below-par outing in Game 1. The guard shot 6-20 from the field and was thoroughly outdone by Nuggets guard Jamal Murray. Despite his off night, Ham persisted with Russell hoping that his PG would come good at some point but it wasn't meant to be.
Game 2 should see Ham willing to play some of the guards on his bench to limit the Nuggets offense. Gabe Vincent deserves more than eight minutes as he is a defensive presence the Lakers can use.
#4 The bench needs to buck up
Barring Taurean Prince with 11 points, the Lakers bench had no answers on offense. The likes of Jaxson Hayes, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Vincent were all guilty of minutes without impact that played a part in the Game 1 loss.
While, it is understandable that they are without Jalen Hood-Schifino (lumbar disc surgery), Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain), Jarred Vanderbilt (right midfoot sprain), and Christian Wood (left knee surgery), the Lakers will need more from the existing crop of players coming off the bench.
#3 Their 3-point shooting can save them
The Lakers shot 27.6% of their 3s in comparison to the Nuggets' 35.7%. This is a major concern for a team that has perenially struggled to shoot lights out in crunch games. Much of their three-point contributions have come from Russell and LeBron James, and now the onus is again on the two to drain as many threes as possible.
If Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves can catch fire on Monday from beyond the arc, expect the contest to skew in LA's favor.
#2 The Lakers' backcourt needs to be better
D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves in the backcourt have yielded better results for the side this season, but their defense in transition has been questionable. More importantly, the Nuggets' backcourt duo of Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have outplayed both Reaves and Russell on offense as well.
It takes a well-rounded effort to beat this Nuggets outfit and the guard duo need to bring their A-game on Monday.
#1 Anthony Davis vs Nikola Jokic will decide the winner of Game 2
Anthony Davis vs Nikola Jokic will very well decide the winner of the first-round series. Both bigs have been in scintillating form, with the latter well on his way to winning his third MVP.
Davis has been elite and has showcased DPOY potential holding the Serbian and Aaron Gordon to 2-10 in Game 1.
The one way for LA to win Game 2 is if Davis cramps Jokic on both ends of the floor. This would mean taking Hachimura off Jokic and perhaps tasking him with guarding Michael Porter Jr. or Gordon. The Lakers will have to figure out a way to keep Jokic quiet.
