Playoffs Day 35 As LA Advances To The Finals! 9.26.20
It’s Day 35 of the NBA Playoffs and we have Game 5 of the WCF between the Nuggets and the Lakers.
It’s Day 35 of the NBA Playoffs and we have Game 5 of the WCF between the Nuggets and the Lakers.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets lost Game 5 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Nuggets have been here before. They’ve been down 3-1 3 times in these playoffs. But they’ve won the prior two series. They know what they need to do. Their defense needs to be much better against Lebron and AD and Nikola Jokic needs to stay out of foul trouble. But this Lakers team would be the best team that they’ve faced this postseason, and another 3-1 comeback seemed unlikely, but they did put up a fight. The Nuggets trailed by 10 at halftime and it seemed over. But again, the Nuggets never game up. They outscored the Lakers by 7 and cut the lead to 3 in the 3rd. And the Nuggets had some chances to win this game late, but they couldn’t stop Lebron James late. Denver lost 117-107, and they have been eliminated 4-1.
Offensively the Nuggets were solid as they shot 42% from the field and 27% from 3. Denver was also 26/27 from the free throw line. The Nuggets had 11 turnovers. The Nuggets also had 50 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were poor as LA shot 55% from the field and 38% from 3. LA was also 24/29 from the free throw line. Denver forced 13 turnovers. Denver also allowed 56 points down low.
Nikola Jokic had 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jerami Grant had 20 points and 9 rebounds. Jamal Murray had 19 points and 8 assists. Paul Millsap added 13 points. Monte Morris had 10 points and 6 assists off the bench. Michael Porter Jr. had 10 points off the bench as well.
Conclusion
You’ve got to hand it to this Nuggets team. They could’ve very easily bowed out in the first round and the would have gone quietly. But they fought and fought until they were in the Western Conference Finals. Jamal Murray is a budding super-star and the Nuggets have a very bright future. Michael Porter Jr. will continue to be a project. But this will not be the last thing we see or hear from Denver, they will be back.
LA Lakers
The Lakers won Game 5 against the Nuggets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
Now leading 3-1 in the series, Game 5 would be very tough. The Lakers were well aware of the Nuggets and their ability to keep fighting, so the Lakers would need a big night to knock the Nuggets out. And the night started off well as LA led by 10 at halftime behind the great play from Lebron James. But the Nuggets started to comeback as the Lakers lead was cut to 3 entering the 4th. But the Lakers wouldn’t let this game slip. Lebron dominated the 4th and hit some big shots down the stretch. The Lakers won 117-107, and they advance to the Finals for the first time in a decade.
Offensively the Lakers were great as they shot 55% from the field and 38% from 3. LA was also 24/29 from the free throw line. The Lakers had 13 turnovers. The Lakers also had 56 points in the paint.
Defensively the Lakers were ok as Denver shot 42% from the field and 27% from 3. Denver was also 23/26 from the free throw line. The Lakers forced 11 turnovers. The Lakers allowed 50 points down low.
Lebron James had 38 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Anthony Davis had 27 points and 5 rebounds. Danny Green had 11 points. Alex Caruso had 11 points off the bench as well.
Conclusion
The Lakers did what they were supposed. They exposed every single team they played with great coaching from Frank Vogel. But you have to give credit where credit is due, the Lakers really clicked starting in the 2nd round. Now they advance to the Finals for the first time in a decade with a chance to give a title to the city of LA and Kobe Bryant. Lets see if the Lakers can finish the job and win a title.
What Are Your Thoughts From Day 35? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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