In LeBron’s Staples Center debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets trail by 11 points at half time.
The Denver Nuggets are encountering a different type of Lakers team in this game. LeBron James has been remarkably efficient so far as he has been torching the Denver defense by shooting 83.3% from the field for 13 points along with a box plus/minus of +13.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets offense has looked good as they are getting the wide open shot attempts, they are just having trouble knocking down their open jump shots. Not to mention, the Nuggets have been abysmal from the free throw line as they have only shot 14 for 20 from the charity stripe.
If the Denver Nuggets want to win preseason game number two, they have to clean it up as they have been sloppy on both ends of the floor. The Lakers look a lot more cohesive tonight than they did Sunday night and it is starting to pay them dividends.
Los Angeles has had some nice sequences where they have been distributing the ball and had all five players on the floor touch the ball at one point during the 24 seconds. Denver has had the same thing happen, but many of their shots have been flat. This can be seen by their terrible 34% from the field.
The high man for the Nuggets so far has been Nikola Jokic with 12 points who has also gotten some nice second chance opportunities with his three offensive rebounds. Will Barton has struggled so far besides a buzzer beater three point shot to end the first half. So far, Barton has only made one field goal out of the 10 he has attempted.
In order for Denver to win this game, they are going to have to play more disciplined basketball and limit the fouls. Not to mention, clean up the defense and stop biting on the pump fakes.
It was expected that the Lakers would make adjustments after their loss Sunday night and so far, the Nuggets do not have an answer. Let’s hope they can come out more aggressive in the second half.