I didn’t feel like it was a one sided game. The Nuggets had the lead the whole game but they never got too far out of reach. LeBron even had a chance to tie it with a 3 late in the fourth. Both teams shot excellent from the field. It was a great game to watch. It had everything you’d expect. The big difference in the game was rebounds. The Lakers need to step it up on the boards. They can’t be outrebounded by nearly 20 and win.
The first-half strategy of the Nuggets was so simple, pull Anthony Davis out by putting Jokic at a high post and it was successful. In the next half, Coach Ham made a big risk by deciding to put AD against Gordon and it worked like a charm. Coach Malone didn't adjust well and Gordon was so used to staying below the rim that he don't know what to do. As Jeff Van Gundy said about Gordon being their key factor to winning the next game, I think I agree. There's so much room for improvement in the Nuggets team as long as they know what is happening in their environment.
Gordon could pull AD outside too and if he doesn't, punish him by shooting threes. He ain't bad at shooting those distance shots, he can make it.
Nikola Jokic 6th triple-double in the post-season. He is a monster and that prayer 3-pointer just made AD smile.
Nuggets claiming the first win. It's damn entertaining when the Lakers got back and cut the lead by three.