A first-round playoff rematch from last season is set for Saturday as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Denver Nuggets.
Last season, the Nuggets, then the defending champions, proved to be too much for the Lakers, securing a 4-1 series victory before being eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Lakers will aim to move forward, especially after a heartbreaking 119-118 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday. Despite overcoming the Magic’s tight defense, they struggled at the free-throw line, going 3 of 9 in the fourth quarter.
Anthony Davis was 1 for 4 from the line in the final 27.1 seconds, LeBron James missed a free throw with 39.1 seconds left, and Austin Reaves missed two with 3:40 remaining. Davis scored 39 points, but his three misses from the line were critical. James added 31 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick humorously mentioned heading for a “very dark place,” clarifying he meant his basement to review game footage.
The loss was the Lakers’ first at home in eight games, ending a six-game winning streak. Now, they face a matchup against the Nuggets, a team they beat just once in seven meetings during the regular season and playoffs last campaign.
The Nuggets will be on the second night of a back-to-back after a 123-120 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. The game saw the return of Nikola Jokic, who missed the previous three games following the birth of his child. Jokic made a triumphant return with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his fifth consecutive triple-double and seventh of the season.
Despite Jokic’s performance, the Nuggets have lost three of their past four games after starting the season strong with just three losses in their first 10 games. They have struggled on the road, losing three of their past four away games.
In the game against the Mavericks, Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. each scored 17 points, but the Nuggets’ loss dropped them to 1-1 in West Group C play of the NBA Cup, allowing the Golden State Warriors to win the group.
Jokic continues to be a dominant force this season, averaging 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 11.5 assists. The three-time MVP is also shooting an impressive 58.5 percent from three-point range on 41 attempts.
Denver has won the second game of a back-to-back on both occasions this season, most recently a 129-103 home victory over the Utah Jazz on November 2.
