What a game…

All right, everyone, let’s talk about last night's game. What a fantastic playoff it’s been so far. Headed into game two, we were all expecting a change in the starting lineup, and we got Rui Hachimura inserted into the starting lineup and matched against Denver. Nugget MVP center Nikola Jokić no much was made about this late in the first game, with the majority of sports riders and fans alike talking about how the Lakers have finally solved the Joker. Now I was a bit more hesitant with this, and I understood after some adjustments on the Nugget's end they would be a little bit more prepared and successful against this smaller matchup, now much to my surprise, the Lakers for the majority of the game two did hold Djokic under his playoff expectations. He did fill up the stat sheet but was not as comfortable as it was in the first half of the first game. For most of these playoffs, with Ruby guarding Djokic, Anthony Davis was left to roam the paint, leaving Aaron Gordon any time he was not in the dunker spot, practically daring Gordon to shoot it from a distance.

I’m sure everyone’s heard so much instant reaction from Twitter or podcast ESPN etc., so I’ll keep it short and sweet.

The Nuggets and Lakers both threw their best punch, and the Nugget's shooting separated these two teams. The chunks have 4 to 5 guys at any given time who can shoot it from a distance, including Jamal Murray, who might be one of the top contested shotmakers in the league. Compared to the Lakers, who, outside of Austin Reaves, the entire roster can go gold at any given time during a game. LeBron has been terrible from three all season, and now it looks like his age is catching up. He has settled time and time again these playoffs from deep. AD, who scored most of his points from the line, is not a consistent threat from midrange or deep. DLO has played himself off the court for his lack of defense and inability to get a shot. That’s not a bad three-point attempt. Vando can’t hit wide-open looks, and if it wasn’t for Rui, both games might have been blowouts.

I think LA has a win or two coming back home. Russell feeds off home crowds, and The Lakers will get a good whistle at the crypt. With that being said, The nuggets will win this series in 6 or 7, and as a Laker fan, I’m not mad at that. Considering the feeling stuck in limbo during the Russell Westbrook saga, this second half of the season has been a breath of fresh air. The Lakers and their fans should be proud of the way Darvin Ham had a consistent message all season and made moves to give the team a feeling of hope from now on. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself here because until The Nuggets send LA packing for the summer, anything can happen. I mean, look out East. The Heat just went up 2-0 on the Celtics as an 8th seed. Incredible. Either way, you have it. This NBA playoffs have not disappointed me.

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