Playoffs Day 28 As LA Dominates Game 1! 9.18.20
It’s Day 28 of the NBA Playoffs and we have Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals today.
It’s Day 28 of the NBA Playoffs and we have Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals today.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets lost Game 1 against the Lakers. Here is what I thought about their performance.
After upsetting the Clippers, the Nuggets faced the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. It would be a tough matchup facing Lebron and a well-rested Lakers team, but the Nuggets were certainly not going down without a fight. But Game 1 wasn’t great for Denver. The Nuggets fell behind in the first half as they trailed by 11. But the 2nd half fell apart for Denver as they got outscored by 13 in the 3rd. The Nuggets made feeble attempts at a comeback, but the game was out of hand at that point. Denver lost 126-114, and they trail 0-1 in this series.
Offensively the Nuggets were solid as they shot 49% from the field and 35% from 3. Denver was also 23/28 from the free throw line. The Nuggets turned the ball over 15 turnovers. Denver also had 52 points in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets were terrible as the Lakers shot 53% from the field and 42% from 3. LA was also 27/37 from the free throw line. The Nuggets allowed 10 offensive rebounds. Denver forced 11 turnovers. The Nuggets also allowed 56 points in the paint.
Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 6 rebounds. Jamal Murray had 21 points and 5 assists. Michael Porter Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Conclusion
The Nuggets didn’t come out to play against the Lakers. Their offense was able to keep up with the Lakers for the first portion of the game, but after the offense started to slow, the game was over. AD dominated the Nuggets and the Nuggets seemed slow. But the Nuggets started the Clippers series slow, and they were never out of it. The Nuggets need better defense in order to see success, but this series is far from over.
LA Lakers
The Lakers won Game 1 against the Nuggets. Here is what I thought about their performance.
The Lakers have been well rested throughout these playoffs as they have won both their series in 5 games. But the Lakers were not going to take the Nuggets for granted. They knew who they expected (the Clippers), but they were still going to give it their all against the Nuggets. And they did exactly that. The first half was a shootout but the Lakers led by 11 at the break. In the 3rd, the Lakers really asserted their dominance. They outscored the Nuggets by 13 and essentially ended the game. The Lakers cruised to a 126-114 victory, taking a 1-0 series lead.
Offensively the Lakers were great as they shot 53% from the field and 42% from 3. LA was also 27/37 from the free throw line. The Lakers had 10 offensive rebounds. LA had 11 turnovers. The Lakers added 56 points down low.
Defensively the Lakers were poor as Denver shot 49% from the field and 35% from 3. Denver was also 23/28 from the free throw line. The Lakers forced 15 turnovers. LA allowed 52 points in the paint.
Anthony Davis had 37 points and 10 rebounds. KCP had 18 points. Lebron had 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assists. Dwight Howard had 13 points off the bench. Kyle Kuzma added 11 points off the bench as well.
Conclusion
The Lakers took advantage of what they were supposed to. AD doesn’t have a perfect defender to guard him in this series, and he scored 37. Lebron was mostly a play-maker and didn’t look to score. KCP, Howard, and Kuzma were all great contributors. I think that this is how the Lakers offense will have to play in this series. Neither of these teams played great defense, but the Lakers offense was just great and they couldn’t be stopped. Look for more of this, specifically AD dominating in Game 2 as the Lakers look to take a 2-0 series lead.
What Are Your Thought From Day 28? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Thoughts On Some Topics From Day 28 Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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