Game 65: 05/03/21 Nuggets at Lakers GAME THREAD

[KobeMVP888]

(43-21) RAPTORS AT LAKERS (36-28)

Monday, May 3, 2021, 7:00 PM PDT
Staples Center • Los Angeles, CA

Referees: Zach Zarba (#15), Mark Ayotte (#56), Jason Goldenberg (#35)

Replay Center: JT Orr, Matt Myers, Jacyn Goble

Line: Nuggets -4.0
O/U: 215

National TV: ESPN
Local TV: Spectrum SportsNet



GAME PREVIEW: NUGGETS AT LAKERS: What the plan for Nikola Jokic?

by Christian Rivas, @RadRivas, silverscreenandroll.com

Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers won all three of their Western Conference playoff series in five games but the Denver Nuggets made them work harder for their gentleman’s sweep than any other team. In fact, had Anthony Davis not drained that buzzer-beating 3-pointer in Game 2, it would have been at least a six-game series.

While there are nine games left in the season, the Lakers and Nuggets are currently projected to play each other in the first round of this year’s NBA Playoffs and Denver promises to be a tough out once again. Even with Jamal Murray sidelined, the Nuggets have maintained their status as one of the NBA’s elite offensive teams, posting an offensive rating of 117.9 in the 10 games they’ve played without him. They’ve gone 9-1 in those games.

The engine that makes them go is none other than Nikola Jokic, who’s arguably the favorite to win the MVP award this season. Through 64 games, Jokic has averaged 26.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 56.8% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range.

The Lakers were able to minimize his impact in the postseason last year by putting Dwight Howard on him but even then, he still averaged 21.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals per game in that five-game series. He’s a handful.

Frank Vogel has enough size between Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond and Marc Gasol to keep Jokic honest but it will take the right combination for that size to really matter. Maybe Sunday is finally the day we see that Gasol-Montrezl Harrell lineup Vogel has been teasing for the last month.

Notes and Updates

- LeBron James left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and did not return.

- An injury report will be provided soon.

https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/202 ... ic-matchup

[lakerevolution]

Dennis Schroeder OUT until the playoffs. We managed without Rondo at the same time last year . . time for AC and THT to step up!

[lakerevolution]

LeBron out too. Must be the ankle.

Sheesh.

[3Peatkb24]

THAT'S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! Lakers defeat Nuggets 93-89 without LeBron. Tough to figure this team out at times but a huge 'Practice Season' win lol. We are now back in the 5th spot as the Blazers lost tonight and the Mavs were off. Maybe LeBron speaking up and saying the playin tournament was BS and whoever came up with that should be fired lit a fire under the team tonight? As of now we are 37-28, Mavs 36-28, Blazers 36-29. I don't really care for the playin tournament either, if you can't finish as one of the 8 best teams in your conference then you don't deserve to be in anyway is my thinking.

[KobeMVP888]

They didn't have half their team and we didn't have half our team. BUT if you're going to scrimmage, why waste Drummond on Jokic when you have the superior Gasol to guard him? Is Vogel trying not to show his hand for the playoffs? Hopefully we will avoid the stupid play-in tournament (going to be tough with that stupid ass Schroder out and LeBron obviously gimpy, especially with the really tough schedule down the stretch). While I am a TrueFan, I am also a realist and I believe our chances are pretty slim to repeat this season, so if we lose in the playoffs I would rather get it over with early so these guys can finally get some rest.

[3Peatkb24]

They didn't have half their team and we didn't have half our team. BUT if you're going to scrimmage, why waste Drummond on Jokic when you have the superior Gasol to guard him? Is Vogel trying not to show his hand for the playoffs? Hopefully we will avoid the stupid play-in tournament (going to be tough with that stupid ass Schroder out and LeBron obviously gimpy, especially with the really tough schedule down the stretch). While I am a TrueFan, I am also a realist and I believe our chances are pretty slim to repeat this season, so if we lose in the playoffs I would rather get it over with early so these guys can finally get some rest.

We may end up in the playin tournament which stinks but isn't the end of the world. I have a feeling we may sit LeBron for the remainder of the 'Practice Season' as a precautionary. We can still make a nice run but LeBron has to be close to 100% healthy.

[KobeMVP888]

We may end up in the playin tournament which stinks but isn't the end of the world. I have a feeling we may sit LeBron for the remainder of the 'Practice Season' as a precautionary. We can still make a nice run but LeBron has to be close to 100% healthy.

He won't be 100% healthy this season and perhaps never again. I don't want to be a naysayer, but Father Time remains undefeated.