Denver Nuggets vs. Lakers: Grades
By Mathew Huff
The Denver Nuggets decimated the Los Angeles Lakers at home.
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers by the biggest margin in franchise history against the Lakers.
The Lakers were in shouting distance in the first half as they were only down by eight points at half time. Then, the second half struck and a switch was flipped in the Denver Nuggets.
Also, can we start giving credit to the Nuggets for actually playing a great game of basketball and not just about how bad L.A. played?! It really is not that hard (looking at you Stephen A. Smith of ESPN First Take.)
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So, without further adieu, here are two grades from the monumental win at Pepsi Center.
Starters: B+
The starting unit had a good game overall. All but one player got in double figures.
Torrey Craig may have only scored two points, but he came down with some crucial rebounds (8) and even gave the Nuggets some second chance opportunities. The one thing preventing the starters from receiving an A is Nikola Jokic‘s poor shooting performance in the first half.
He got things cooking after half time as he finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, but the fact remains, he shot only 35.7% from the field.
All in all though, the starting unit did their job and got a nice lead for the reserves to preserve.
Bench: A
The reserves did a fantastic job of maintaining the lead. In the fourth quarter, they were running away with the game and we even got to see guys like Tyler Lydon and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell see some floor time.
Malik Beasley had arguably his best game as a pro yet as he came away with an efficient 20 points on 57.1% shooting from the field and Mason Plumlee notched another double double. Not to mention, Trey Lyles did a good job on the glass as he racked up nine rebounds.
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The reserves earn an A grade with their great and consistent play and they continue to show they are one of the most potent second units in the league.