Despite forward Anthony Davis leading all scorers with 33 points and 15 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers fell 112-105 in game three of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets take a 3-0 lead in the win.
The Lakers struggled offensively; while forward LeBron James scored 26 points and guard Austin Reaves made 22 points, guard D’Angelo Russell went scoreless in the 24 minutes that he played. Forward Rui Hachimura scored below his shooting average, only making five points.
The Lakers started Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets with an 8-0 run
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) April 26, 2024
“You have to attack each possession, you have to be competitive, have competitive pride,” said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham. “No missed shots but you got to move on to the next play.”
Denver forward Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 29 points, he and center Nikola Jokic committed 15 rebounds each.
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The Lakers came out strong with an eight-point lead, which included three dunks. The Purple and Gold also received a seven-point benefit from four Nuggets turnovers. In the first half, the Lakers led by as much as 12 points.
While Denver guard Jamal Murray went scoreless in the first quarter, he scored 11 points in the second phase. This cut the Lakers’ lead to four going into the half.
At the end of the first quarter, Anthony Davis leads all scorers with 12 points in the Lakers’ Game 3 contest against the Nuggets
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“We spent so much energy in the first half building leads or the defensive intensity that we have that we come out in the third quarter with not that much energy,” James said.
A key asset for the Nuggets were their offensive rebounding, their nine offensive boards would allot them 12 second-chance points.
“Whoever is under the goal having to box out Jokic or [Gordon], you got to do your job and we haven’t done that this series,” Reaves said. “Everybody knows they’re a good offensive rebounding team.”
Denver entered the third quarter with a seven-point run. Gordon poured in 14 points in the quarter.
“I think they get more detailed, their execution picks up, they’re a little more locked in than we are when we come out of the half,” said Lakers guard Gabe Vincent. “They take advantage of any opportunity.”
At the half the Lakers are ahead 53-49 against the Nuggets. Anthony Davis has 16 points. Aaron Gordon has 14 points.
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) April 26, 2024
The Lakers trailed throughout the fourth quarter but Reaves initiated a late rally making two three-pointers and a layup in the final minute of regulation. His efforts chopped the Lakers’ deficit to as little as five points.
“You got to score, 28 in the second, 22 in the third, a team like that who’s gonna score, we got to be able to score as well,” Davis said. “Getting back on transition, defensive rebounding and continue to score the basketball.”
The Lakers will battle the Denver Nuggets in game four on Saturday at 5:30P.M.
