Los Angeles Lakers: 5 keys to beating the Denver Nuggets

1. Attacking the Paint

Despite Nikola Jokic’s offensive brilliance, he’s not a great rim protector. It therefore shouldn’t come as a surprise that Denver only ranked 21st in defending shots within six feet of the basket during the regular season, where opponents converted at a 62.4 percent rate.

In four regular-season games against the Nuggets, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis took advantage of this defensive weakness. James shot 77.8 percent (21-of-27) in the restricted area on 9.0 attempts per game, compared to 68.7 percent on 8.3 attempts during the regular season. Davis shot 79.8 percent (27-of-34) on 8.5 attempts per game, versus 73.5 percent on 6.8 attempts during the regular season.

The Lakers consistently went after Jokic, attacking him in the pick-and-roll and trying to force switches on to LeBron. Los Angeles’ offense should attack the seven-footer as much as possible, making him exert energy and perhaps forcing him into foul trouble. Mason Plumlee will offer more resistance when Jokic rests.

Denver also might have LeBron’s defender duck way under screens to goad him into jump shots. This is how the Clippers would likely have guarded James. If Denver does so, LeBron has to simply make them pay from downtown.