The Los Angeles Lakers are in a bit of a crisis when it comes to their playoff performances. Their Game 2 loss against the Denver Nuggets has caused fans to question LeBron James and the rest of the Purple and Gold.
While Darvin Ham and the rest of the roster are trying to figure out what they need to do to contain Nikola Jokic and company, one former NBA player and analyst shares his honest thoughts on how the game went. He believes that there’s one crucial problem the Purple and Gold need to address if they’re going to even the series at Crypto.com Arena.
Austin Rivers points out that the Los Angeles Lakers need to close their games better
Austin Rivers played 11 years in the NBA and is a current NBA analyst for ESPN. He has a keen understanding on what’s happening on the court and discussed his observations on the Pat McAfee Show.
“The Lakers have not found ways to close.”
—@AustinRivers25 has this series going to six games in the Nuggets’ favor 👀 @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/c2JksalbQS
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 23, 2024
“I feel for them because they played such a great game,” Rivers said of the Lakers’ performance in Game 2. “They’re up 20, they let that collapse, but they outplayed Denver most of the game. They even outplayed Denver first three quarters in the first game. ”
He then pointed out that the Los Angeles Lakers need to have a better understanding of how to protect leads that they create.
“They have not found ways to close like the Nuggets do. That’s my question with them: if the game comes down to a two- or three-point game, I have a hard time betting on the Lakers to pulling out games.”
He then pointed out that, unlike the Lakers, the Nuggets have their late-game plan figured out. Only a few can stop Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic from making plays down the stretch.
There are still two games before the Lakers are officially out of the playoffs, but they must step up their game. If the team fails to sort out its issues, they will be in for an early summer full of questions and ridicule.
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