In Game 1, Dan Woike's Lakers weren't as good—or bad—as you may have anticipated.
In Game 1, Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell only hit one of his nine three-point
attempts while shooting over Nuggets big Christian Braun. (Photo: Getty
Images/Matthew Stockman)
On Saturday night, there was a sense in the media room and across the stadium
that the Lakers had delivered their finest blow, but perhaps it wasn't good
enough.
However, some time and new eyes on Game 1 allowed coach Darvin Ham and the
Lakers to accurately analyze what transpired during their 114-103 defeat to the
Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference playoff series opening round.
We had fantastic looks, but we were unable to remove them. shots that we have
been eliminating. And then we're moving too slowly, Ham told reporters in a
Sunday phone chat. "There's no doubt about it; we just observed, as a
team, as we walked back into the attacking end and paced up and down without
changing course quickly. When we're running up the floor, we're a whole other
ball club. We must maintain offensive intensity even after a basket is
made.That also has to be included in our defense. Increasing the offensive
pressure on this squad is the best way to protect them. Additionally, attempt
to turn them around.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis' combined 59 points eclipsed the Lakers'
offensive struggles in Game 1, yet the two had nine turnovers as well (seven by
James).
Additionally, the Lakers scored just 103 points on eight for 29 three-point
shooting. Only eight times in the regular season were the Lakers limited to 103
points or less. Specifically, D'Angelo Russell went only one-for-nine from
three-point range after making 41.5% of his deep basket attempts throughout the
regular season.
Continue reading: Laker's insights: Why LeBron James and Anthony Davis weren't sufficient in the first game
Even on Sunday, Denver coach Michael Malone made note of the kind of shots the
Lakers attempted and failed to make in Game 1.
The Lakers' half-court defense in Game 1 appeared to be better on video,
according to Ham, with the main problems occurring during transition.
We didn't perform poorly, but they made some difficult shots." on the
defensive. We had them take some difficult shots," Ham remarked. They made
a few difficult shots. However, transition defense—getting back and matching up
so we weren't crossmatched—was our main issue. We clearly gave up some
inopportune turnovers and second-chance scores because we didn't execute it as
well as we should have.
Those postseason issues are crucial, particularly when facing a Denver-caliber
club.
Therefore, you truly have to compete in the intangible game against elite teams
like Denver and the Denver championship teams. Little things count, according
to Ham." The discipline and the details. That is the main focus, more so
than the major events, post-event coverage, or pick-and-roll coverage. It is an
immaterial item.
After the game, we returned to the hotel and watched the movie again, and that's what really became apparent.Continue reading: Plaschke: The Lakers just lack the talent necessary to defeat the Denver Nuggets.
The two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic, a center for the Nuggets, presents the
Lakers with an almost unbeatable challenge, according to Ham.He stated,
"It starts with trying to limit his touches, which is pretty damn
impossible." "But if you want to win, that's what it takes.
Wood is almost back.
Reserve big man Christian Wood is
planning to return to action" for Game 3 on Thursday in Los Angeles, according to a report from Shams Charania of the Athletic. Wood, who has missed time due to a knee ailment during the All-Star break and necessary surgery, is not present with the Denver club.
All I can say is that he's still going through his rehabilitation and injury healing process, Ham remarked. "He is obviously large and long, capable of rebounding and stretching the floor. But before we even think about it, he needs to tick a few more boxes.
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