The Los Angeles Lakers suffered yet another defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. The 124-114 loss was their eighth in a row to the Nuggets and LeBron James admitted postgame that they have the Lakers’ number.
“They have our number, we haven’t beaten them in quite a while,” James said. “It’s always kind of the fourth quarter. The last six minutes or the last few minutes of the game where they make plays, we don’t make plays, that can be frustrating.”
When asked why they have had difficulties stopping the Nuggets, who have won the season series 3-0, LeBron tipped his cap to Nikola Jokic.
“They have five threats on the floor at one time,” James stated. “And their biggest threat can do everything and that’s Joker. That’s what makes it very challenging.”
(starts at 35:05 mark):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcpHFngeofM
It was a back-and-forth game for much of the second half and the teams were tied at 89 entering the fourth quarter. They continued to exchange blows in the final period but it all went downhill for the Lakers after LeBron scored with a layup to put them up 110-108 with just over four minutes left.
It was all Denver from then on out, as the Nuggets went on a 9-0 run and never looked back. They won the fourth quarter 35-25 and this has basically been the theme during their win streak over the Lakers.
The Nuggets executed extremely well down the stretch when these two met in the Western Conference Finals and swept the Lakers as a result. It was termed a close sweep because the games were so close, but the Nuggets have now shown that they are just the better team.
LeBron himself had a couple of rough plays during that 9-0 Nuggets run, as he turned the ball over once and missed a three-pointer as well. He had a fine showing apart from that, finishing with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals.
James also reached 40,000 career points in this game, but it might not be one the 39-year-old looks back upon too fondly considering how they lost. The Lakers have now dropped to 33-29 on the season and face another difficult challenge next in the Oklahoma City Thunder.
LeBron James Says There Is No Answer For Nikola Jokic
While the likes of Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray dazzled for the Nuggets in this game, it was once again Jokic who stood out. The 29-year-old had 35 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block on the night, and James says no one has an answer for Jokic. (starts at 38:15 mark in the above video)
“No, there is no,” James replied when asked if there was an answer for Jokic.
Jokic has averaged 29.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 0.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game against the Lakers this season. He has also shot 55.2% from the field and LA just hasn’t found a way to slow him down. To be fair, no one really has, as Jokic once again finds himself in the running for MVP.
The six-time All-Star has now led his team to six straight wins and the Nuggets sport a 42-19 record as a result of it. Denver is starting to once again look like the team to beat in the West, and I wouldn’t bet against them making it back to the NBA Finals.
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