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What to watch for during the Denver Nuggets vs. Lakers preseason game #2

By Mitchell Carter

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during a pre-season game on September 30, 2018 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during a pre-season game on September 30, 2018 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets get to face-off against LeBron James and the Lakers for the second time in less than a week. However, this time they get to see LeBron play his first game in actual Los Angeles.

The first game lived up to the hype if you were a Lakers fan. Sure, the Denver Nuggets smacked the Los Angeles Lakers and ruined LeBron’s homecoming, but it appeared that nobody cared. Byron Scott during the halftime analysis even said this when asked if they should mention Denver during the broadcast. “Yeah, they’re playing good, but who cares… LeBron is in LA people!”

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Obviously it’s only a preseason game and this was LeBron’s first game in the purple and gold but c’mon. Denver received absolutely zero respect and it appeared more like a scrimmage than an actual game based on the one-sided coverage. Denver was in control for a majority of the game and their players put up better stat lines than the Lakers; yet, Los Angeles was all over the post game highlight reel.

Nevertheless, this game meant absolutely nothing in regards to wins and losses so Denver should just accept being second fiddle and moving onto the next one. In tonight’s game, everyone watching should look for the same type of coverage. LeBron this, LeBron that, but expect Denver to come out and and attack the Lakers yet again.

Watch for the second team’s confidence

During tonight’s contest, the biggest thing I think Nuggets’ fans should watch for is the confidence in the second unit. Juancho Hernangomez and Malik Beasley played with the utmost confidence and we’ll see if it stays consistent. If Denver can consistently get quality minutes from those two guys along with the rest of the second unit, they will be in great shape.

Look for Hernangomez to be aggressive with his shot early and for Malik to use his length and athleticism to get out on the break. These two could potentially be spark-plugs to utilize alongside Isaiah Thomas once the season is upon us.

Next. Assigning the Nuggets as Mass Effect characters. dark

If they can play like they did on Saturday night, look for the same outcome tonight.

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