After that Game 3 double digit defeat to the Denver Nuggets, we knew that this was coming for your Los Angeles Lakers to some extent.
But we certainly didn’t expect things to end this way.
The Lakers built up a 15-point first half lead against Denver, and saw it all evaporate by the midway point of the third quarter. It was a slugfest the rest of the way, with each club trading blows during a fairly physical matchup.
All-NBA LA small forward LeBron James had a terrific back-against-the-wall opening half, powering the club to its big edge… and yet he also was probably culpable for the Lakers’ late-game loss.
Keeping things in perspective, the Lakers bucked the odds and recovered from a miserable 2-10 season start to not only make the playoffs, but to reach the Western Conference Finals. Quite a feat for a seventh seed.
The club now heads into an uncertain offseason, where most of its players will reach free agency.
Let’s unpack where it all went wrong, shall we?
Things were coming up Milhouse for Los Angeles during the opening quarter. James looked totally reinvigorated, scoring 21 of LA’s 34 points in the frame from all over the floor. James shot 7-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-4 from long range, and went 3-of-3 from the foul line. Denver hovered around, chipping in 28 points of its own.
LA was so desperate for help against the Nuggets’ size, the team even sent in Tristan Thompson to play non-garbage time minutes (4:29 in the first half)! And this was with Mo
