Los Angeles Lakers: 5 keys to beating the Denver Nuggets

5. 3-Point Shooting

The Lakers were not a great 3-point shooting team in the regular season, ranking 21st at 34.9 percent. Only three consistent rotation players (excluding Avery Bradley) shot better than 34.0 percent from downtown: LeBron James (34.8), Danny Green (36.7) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (38.5).

Against the Portland Trail-Blazers in the first round, the Lakers increased their 3-point attempt rate compared to the regular season (34.9 percent to 39.6 percent) but still only hit 34.3 percent from long-range. Things improved against Houston, however. Los Angeles maintained a higher attempt rate (37.7 percent) and hit 37.7 percent over the five games (now shooting 35.9 percent in the postseason as a whole).

The Lakers saw improvement from seven of their eight key 3-point shooters. Each of Rajon Rondo, who didn’t play versus Portland, Markieff Morris, Alex Caruso and Danny Green made significant strides against Houston.

If the offense can maintain a strong performance from beyond the arc, the Lakers should be in business. With both James and Davis drawing plenty of attention in the paint, there should be plenty of open looks against Denver.