LeBron James and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers accomplished more than just avoid playoff elimination by snapping an 11-game losing streak to the Denver Nuggets in a thrilling encounter. The Lakers’ 119-108 victory in Game 4 of the first-round NBA playoff series gives them hope heading into Tuesday’s (April 30) Game 5 in Denver. Game 6 will take place on Thursday (May 2) in Los Angeles while Game 7 will take place on Saturday in Denver. The Lakers shot 52.2 percent from the field (48-for-92), and the 119 points were their second-highest output versus the Nuggets in the last 12 games.
American power forward James was outstanding, scoring 30 points on 14-of-23 shooting. Anthony Davis scored 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting and grabbed 23 rebounds. The difference, however, was guard D’Angelo Russell. Russell, who had missed all seven of his shots in Game 3, scored 21 points on 8-for-15 shooting, including 4-for-8 from 3-point range. (In Game 3, he was 0 for 6 from 3-point range.
The Lakers began the third quarter by missing their first three shots, and Lakers supporters were undoubtedly thinking, “Here we go again.” The Lakers led at halftime for the fourth consecutive game, this time by 61-48. However, in the previous three games, the Nuggets had outscored the Lakers in the third quarter, 91-60, to secure victory.
Russell claimed the Lakers made a “third-quarter adjustment,” including prioritizing a good warmup before the period began. Never mind the first three missed shots when the quarter began. Coming out for the second half, the Lakers showed energy and attention that they had previously lacked. Russell stated that the idea was to attack. “Not getting on our heels and letting them attack us,” he stated.
Yes, Denver outscored Los Angeles in the third quarter, 32-30. However, the Lakers held an 11-point lead and were confident heading into the fourth quarter. “We’ve been discussing it,” James said of the team’s third-quarter problems. “It’s been something that’s been an Achilles heel for us all season,” James emphasized the importance of a strong third quarter.
