1) The Lakers must stay home on Jokic.
Mike three to start us off 🗣 pic.twitter.com/05wq6kwyQs
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 23, 2024
After playing Hachimura on Jokic for most of Game 1, Darvin Ham adjusted by putting Anthony Davis on Nikola Jokic for most of Game 2. It's no coincidence that this was the closest the Lakers have gotten to beating the champs in their last ten outings.
Even with the adjustment, the Lakers sometimes sent a double, for example, on the first possession. Jokic sniffed it out immediately and quickly kicked it to Murray, who passed it to Michael Porter Jr. for a wide-open three, which was Denver's first points of the game.
It makes no sense to have Davis guard Jokic to send a double anyway. It's too hard to rotate out on Denver with their shooting ability and Aaron Gordon's constant pressure on the rim. The Lakers must stay home; Jokic is an all-time great and will likely win his third MVP soon. He will get it regardless. The least you can do is limit everyone else. Let him bang with one of the best defenders in the league, Davis, and live with the results.
The Lakers are set to play the Nuggets on Saturday, April 27 at 8.30 p.m. ET. It's a must-win game, and based on how the last one ended, it should be fun to watch.