Denver vs. LA Game 3 Preview

Denver Nuggets vs. LA Lakers – Game 3

After giving up 128 and 122 points to the Lakers, people think the Nuggets have to improve their defense to have a chance to win a game or two against LA. Probably true, but you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. It is their offense they need to get back on track. They couldn’t play effective defense the whole season so how are they supposed to do it now?

Denver has to work for better shots and start knocking them down. Their 3pt-% is at 29% after the first two games. This isn’t acceptable for a team that lives and dies with it’s long range bombs. 44% from the field and 71% from the line aren’t helping their cause either.

Preventing the Lakers from scoring is important, of course, but getting into a rhythm on offense is more important for an offensive juggernaut (that’s what they are supposed to be). Carmelo and A.I. are doing their part, now they need someone else to step up as well, because LA has so many weapons. Kobe is…Kobe…Lamar Odom is playing good right now, Gasol is the perfect big man for this team and Luke Walton is playing better than ever. Fisher is doing his thing and you know that someone on their bench will have a good shooting night.In game one the Lakers won because of team effort, in game 2 they won because of Kobe’s 49.

The altitude in Denver gives the Nuggets a nice shot at wearing the Lakers down by running up and down the floor. It takes your body (even pro-athletes) 4-5 days to get used to the high altitude. If the Nuggets can control the tempo, they have a big advantage.

The Nuggets have to win both games at home to keep the hope alive, because they can’t win in LA. No chance in hell.

Let me remind you of Kobe’s statline in game 2: 49 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 5/9 3pts, 18/27 FG

I’d put my money (you know, if it was legal) on the Lakers in this one for obvious reasons.

Prediction: Lakers win game 3

Showtime is back – Quick Recap

Lakers win 128 – 114

After the first three minutes of the 2nd half the Lakers took a nice lead, but couldn’t finish the Nuggets off. Iverson and company scored in runs, but never could come close enough to tie the game. A.I. and Carmelo went off for 30 points each, but it wasn’t nearly enough. They got help from Smith and Kleiza (a combined 38 points) and the Lakers still won by 14.

Kobe couldn’t find his rhythm until the 4th quarter. He scored 18 off his 32 in the final 12 minutes. Gasol and odom played really good basketball and got themselves some easy shots around the rim.

The Nuggets two superstars combined for 60, their bench was better than anyone thought it would be and they still lost by 14. If this isn’t enough, there is no way they can win a game in this series.

Jeff Van Gundy

“Do what you don’t do well, GUARD ‘EM tonight!”
On the Nuggets after George Karl said: “Do what you do well, be aggressive” to his team

“Tell Vujacic to guard AI, you don’t need that stress.”
JVG on Farmar getting abused by Iverson

“This is like roomservice for Gasol, he gets the ball delivered right at the rim.”
JVG on Gasol’s easy buckets