Why the Denver Nuggets have no chance against the Los Angeles Lakers

By Jason Reed | Sep 17, 2020

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass while pressured by PJ Dozier #35 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers are a nightmare matchup for Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic

Both Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are playing fantastic in the NBA Playoffs thus far, I do not want discredit what they have accomplished. Murray has taken that next step into being a legitimate NBA star and Jokic continues adding to his impressive playoff resume.

If there is one team that the Nuggets shouldn’t want to play it is the Los Angeles Lakers. They are one of few teams that match up perfectly against Murray and Jokic, which is not a good sign as those two are the reason why Denver has won six elimination games thus far.

Murray is the third-most talented guard the Lakers have faced in the playoffs. James Harden and Damian Lillard have him beat. The Lakers, led defensively by Alex Caruso and company, were able to limit both Lillard and Harden from having the big games that they were having before facing the Lakers.

If they can slow down them, they can slow down Murray. Plus, Murray is shooting 50.2 percent from beyond the arc. That is otherworldly and eventually, we will see a regression towards the mean. He is still a great shooter, not a 50 percent shooter.

Meanwhile, Jokic is going to have his hands full with Anthony Davis. He did have to matchup against Rudy Gobert but Gobert does not have the ability to defend away from the paint as efficiently as Anthony Davis does.

While the Lakers may have been expecting the Los Angeles Clippers, they are ironically built to beat a team like the Denver Nuggets.

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