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

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

3. The Denver Nuggets do not have the scoring capacity to beat the Los Angeles Lakers

The Denver Nuggets have not been a high-scoring team in the NBA Playoffs thus far. Denver ranks 11th in points per game in the playoffs with 106.8 and they are the lowest-scoring team remaining. We have already seen spurts where the Nuggets go long stretches either not scoring or hardly scoring.

They really have leaned on Jokic and Murray, who are averaging a combined 52.5 points per game. We already know that those numbers will be lower against the Lakers and the Nuggets just do not have the overall scoring prowess around those two to keep up with the Lakers.

Denver does have a really solid support cast but they don’t really have that third option that can have a big game, unless we count Michael Porter Jr., who is inexperienced and should be taken care of by a focused LeBron James.

That makes this an awful matchup for the Nuggets. They are a low scoring team that wins with their defense playing a team that is arguably better on defense (at least matchup-wise)  and has more firepower offensively.

Only the Dallas Mavericks have averaged more points per game in the NBA Playoffs this year. Only the Heat and Celtics have allowed fewer points per game than the Lakers’ 105.2.

What makes that so impressive, though, is who they played. Nobody could slow down the Blazers’ offense in the bubble and the Lakers did just that. The Rockets averaged the second-most points per game in the regular season and the Lakers had their way with them.

The Lakers have already slowed down great offensive teams, they should not have much of a problem against the Nuggets. Denver ranked 19th in points per game in the regular season.

Next. Why Goran Dragic will be on the Lakers' free-agent radar. dark

If the Los Angeles Lakers can limit two top-six offenses then they can limit the 19th-best offense in the NBA with ease.