By Daniel Paiz

The Denver Nuggets close out Game 1 after a slow start, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 at Ball Arena. The Lakers set the pace early and this game largely followed a slower, half-court setup for much of the first half. Anthony Davis had 32 points and 14 rebounds, and LeBron James notched 27 points and eight assists. The defending NBA Champions were led by Nikola Jokic’s 32 points, 12 boards, and seven assists, and Jamal Murray’s 22 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds. The champs won because of their starters responding.

All five Nuggets starters scored 12 or more points in this one. Plus, Denver’s bench outscored LA’s bench 17-11; the Lakers only had Taurean Prince score bench points with 11. Let’s look into a few key things that determined Game 1. (Note: please read the PSA at the very end at the editor’s request).

Disparities

19 to 6

This would be the free throw disparity between the Nuggets and the Lakers. The visiting team had 19 attempts at the charity stripe to Denver’s six. Both teams had stretches of playing hard, and contact taking place. Calling Jokic for a foul when guarding but not calling Austin Reaves for a moving screen. Calling and-one opportunities for LeBron James but not for Jamal Murray when they had similar tough shots they converted. These are just a few of the reasons Jokic and all of Ball Arena were frustrated with the refs. If it’s a foul on this end, it’s a foul on that end, consistency is what’s needed by the whistleblowers.

35.7% to 27.6%, and 49 to 40

Denver shot a higher percentage from the three-point line, but also shot a lot more threes. If Denver is going to help themselves from downtown, they’re going to have to hit open shots. When three-pointers aren’t falling, getting to the rim and attacking the glass are key. Not to mention the glass, Denver’s rebounding in the second half led to outrebounding the Lakers 49-40. This stat will have to continue to sway in Denver’s favor to avoid closer outcomes.

Momentum Shift

This game was very much a back-and-forth match. Los Angeles was content to play a slowed down, half-court game where they could pick at Denver’s defense, and either feed it into Davis or drive in and then kick out to the three-point line. James hit a few, and everyone else for the Lakers couldn’t seem to make it. At the 6:21 mark in the third quarter, Michael Porter Jr. grabbed the rebound off a missed James three, took the ball down the court, and with 6:15 remaining hit a three to make it Denver 72-71. From that point forward, Denver slowly built upon this, and the entire arena had the feeling of “FINALLY!”.

This three coupled with the 4:49 mark in the third were the two moments where the game shifted into Denver’s hands. James hits a layup at this time marker; the score is Denver up by one, 76-75. For over four minutes, the Nuggets proceed to score, rebound, and make it tough for the Lakers to do anything offensively. At the 0:32 mark, LA scores again, making it 89-78 for the home team. That set the fourth quarter up for Denver to play their game, get rebounds, and stifle the visitors from cutting into the lead.

Game 2

Monday night, 8PM MST at Ball Arena is the setting for Game 2. Denver will need to continue to rebound, move around on offense and make the extra pass to challenge the LA defense. Making LA tired on the defensive end is the best way to create more opportunities offensively. The bench will need to make sure to chip in and score also, as that added to the lead never changing in the final quarter. LA will need more bench help, they’ll need to get more stops, and hit from downtown. The free throw game is already in their corner unless the NBA decides to call the game with a bit more balance on both ends. Denver has a chance to put all the pressure on the visitors with a Game 2 win.

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Finally, a Public Service Announcement for everyone reading and all of those who enjoy going to sporting events in general. Playoff games (and games in general) are a great way to build community, have fun, and learn valuable life lessons such as communication, resilience, problem solving, etc. If one decides to drink, doing so responsibly has to be the path followed. It is never acceptable to pick on a fan from the other side and try to intimidate or start something, especially when that fan is a kid.

I attended Game 1 and witnessed a middle-aged guy, who had been drinking, try and start something with a kid who was a Lakers fan. The kid’s parent asked him to stop, several others in the rows above and below this guy did so as well, and security checked in also. That game might’ve been that kid’s first ever game, or at least first playoff game. Fans of all teams, all sports, have to do better. The fans who asked the guy to knock it off thankfully far outnumbered this guy; let’s hope sooner than later people make better decisions about drinking and interacting with each other.