Denver’s two-time league MVP records his 12th playoff triple-double, but what seemed headed for a rout turned into a tight game.
Later in the second quarter, Jokic drew a foul – well, kind of sort of drew a foul – from Rui Hachimura, tumbling over the baseline into the courtside seats. He got up and sank both free throws, and drew this reaction on Twitter from none other than former Laker Nick Van Exel: “If you can get away with a flop. Flop. It works. Trust me.”Yet for all of the Nuggets’ production Tuesday night, including 31 points from Jamal Murray, 15 points from Michael Porter Jr.
When the Lakers beat Denver in the 2020 conference finals in the Orlando bubble, they were able to throw multiple big men at Jokic, with JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard leaning on the Nuggets’ Serbian star and helping Davis wear him down. The Lakers don’t have those multiple rim-protector types now, and Jokic is maybe an even more skilled player than he was then. A.D. alone can’t do it, and Lakers coach Darvin Ham utilized Rui Hachimura more extensively against Jokic.
Jokic had 19 points at halftime and 15 in the second half, and only six of his 21 rebounds after halftime. But much of the damage he does is in creating opportunities for Porter, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, KCP and the rest. “… It’s not any one coverage that you’re going to be able to stay in versus that kid . There’s no one person that’s going to stop him. It has to be done by committee and you have to switch up. You have to switch up matchups at times and you have to switch up coverages. We didn’t want to go too deep into the end-game adjustments. You know, it’s still that ultimate chess game.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Lakers vow to do all they can to slow Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, legal and otherwise“Try to catch him coming out of his house and kidnap him,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham joked when asked about defending Denver’s two-time league MVP.
Baca lebih lajut »
Lakers head coach gives hilarious answer when asked how to stop Nuggets' Nikola JokicFor the Lakers to advance to the NBA Finals once again, they're going to have to stop Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham joked about how to do that.
Baca lebih lajut »
Lakers vs. Nuggets: Why it's more than Anthony Davis vs. Nikola JokicThe L.A. Times' NBA crew breaks down what to expect when the Lakers play the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals, beginning Tuesday night.
Baca lebih lajut »
Nuggets clip Lakers in Game 1 thanks to Nikola Jokic’s triple-doubleNikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists, powering the host Nuggets to a 132-126 win over the Lakers in Game 1.
Baca lebih lajut »
NBA playoffs: Can LeBron James, Anthony Davis slow Nikola Jokić, Nuggets' high-octane offense?
Baca lebih lajut »
Lakers' priority: Slow down Nikola Jokic to win Game 1 and grab control of seriesThe Lakers won playoff series vs. Grizzlies and Warriors by winning Game 1 on the road and controlling their superstars. Up next, Nikola Jokic and Denver.
Baca lebih lajut »