Four players Michael Porter Jr can expose in the playoffs

Player Michael Porter Jr can expose on Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma

The Los Angeles Lakers have an intense defensive team, boasting the best defensive rating in the league at 106.3. This is truly impressive when you consider the number of games LeBron James and Anthony Davis have missed this year. The one weak spot on the defensive end has been Kyle Kuzma. While he has stepped up in other ways, most importantly with his ability to create off the dribble, Kuz is still a below-average defender in the lane with opponents shooting 65 percent against him within six feet.

Michael Porter Jr has a real chance to take over against Kyle Kuzma, who sees just under 30 minutes per game.

Porter is about the same size as Kuzma but blows him away with his agility and ability to get downhill. Porter attacks the rack with purpose and is elite at using his length to his advantage. While the Lakers have a strong defensive center in Andre Drummond, he will be tasked with guarding Jokic most of the time and likely leaving the paint uncontested with his ability to space the floor.

Most teams seek out Kyle Kuzma on the defensive end, and Porter and the Nuggets are no different. Denver will need Porter to destroy Kuzma in their head-to-head matchups in the postseason. Michael Porter Jr is the key to the Denver Nuggets’ success in the playoffs post-Jamal Murray injury.