Topic: 2019 NBA Pre-Season - page 218. (Read 914452 times)

Jamal Murray! Damn, that was a tough shot! Hand in your face and it's not a small hand, that's AD's hand and fading away out of balance. He was nowhere to be seen after that shot because he was on the second row under the bench.

What went wrong for the Lakers? They got careless. The Nuggets are a team that is known to come back in high deficit leads and they did it again. The 19-point lead was the highest of the Lakers and it was all gone until Lebron got hot in the 3-point line to bring it back to 8 points. Slowly, the Nuggets squeezed back and got the win thanks to the Murray buzzer-beater. That was one heck of a sweet win.

The Lakers did a perfect job today. DLo was hot, AD was taking advantage of the low defense of Jokic, Lebron was energized, and defense was high, it's almost a perfect game if only they can get the win.

I agree.

Some fans are telling that even without Butler, they can make it. Well, they can but the impact that he's making for the team is incomparable. It's no doubt that he's one of the important pieces of Heat.

I have no update about Butler if he's going to be in for game 2 or game 3. I'm hoping that we'd see him to be there to see some good game against Celtics.

But in doubt, Celtics is strong and they're complete and it's certainly an advantage for them when Jimmy Buckets is watching from the bench.

Crazy indeed. It was the game of Lakers and they're on the lead but then Nuggets did managed to get close to their lead and Lakers fell short with that. The most clutch on this match is Jamal Murray's buzzer beater. Actually, it was an overtime already but the advantage was on Nuggets because they're the last shot and if ever Jamal misses it then the game proceeds to the overtime. That was actually a sad lose for the Lakers. Everyone really have thought that it's going to be a tied series but, as long as there's time then the game is still on. They should have covered all of the outside shooters including Jamal but they don't know who's going to take the last shot.

That last ball possession of Lakers on Lebron James, he shouldn't just go into three points since it's going to be win or overtime for them. He should have just got close near to the ring and shoot on the paint but he didn't, he thought that three would go in but in that crucial time, he should decided and made a better decision. In the end, it was good hands of Jamal.

I guess that we're going to see history again, this Jokic-Murray tandem is still underrated despite that they've won the finals last season. The Denver Nuggets is becoming great again and I'm sure that more fans are going to enjoy the third game as it's the do or die game for the Lakers but we'll see if they're going to turn the tables from 0-2 to 3-2 but it's most unlikely gonna happen.

They've missed that chance and that big nerve from Jamal that's something that he acquired from his idol the late Kobe taking that last shot and bring the win at home surely gives him additional plus love from the entire Denver fans, though they've lost the game  but the hardship almost been paid by a win, they need more adjustments and more ball rotations not just the core but also those who are playing with them inside the court, they need to involve one another, just like how the Nuggets is playing the game, seems that they knew where's everyone even they are not looking for them but you'll just see the ball is already in a shooters hands and ready to take the shot, Lakers needs that kind of ball rotation and not just focusing with their cores, keep everyone involve in all aspects not just to bring some for defensive prupose but let them play and include themselves from both ends.

Down 0-2, the Lakers needed some kind of miracle and come back to this series. Nevertheless they will be full of confident in game 3 as it will be in their homecourt. Murray is really build for clutch. The same just like year where him and Jokic really bring the Nuggets to win their championship. Porter though, despite having issues with his family, was able to contribute big in this games. And it was only AD and Lebron and Russell for the Lakers. They have will to go back to the drawing board and involved others to help and at least score 15 points or more to help in offense. Rui is too small to guard Jokic, as he was just eaten alive in the paint by Jokic basketball IQ and movement.

Let us see, it just one game that Lakers needed here, that one game that they will win and win big in Crypto.com that will turn the tide in their favor. Reaves just some good shot selection in that game, but he is quiet on this series and same with Rui.

D'Lo is shooting hot, there were videos of him practice shooting after their lost and it indeed pay off in this game. But the Nuggets, very tough team, down 20 points and was able to claw back. Just shows that the defending champions are very hard to beat by anyone.

Agreed, Rui and Reaves need to score double figures as well, but then, Denver is really a title contender, unlike the Lakers who are struggling to enter the playoffs. It's not surprising that the Nuggets were going to win this series. It's either a sweep or 4-1 in favor of the Nuggets. But man, that AD response, "Jamal Murray made a shot," got me laughing.

Same here, I thought that they are going to take game 2 with D'Lo shooting and then AD and Lebron combining for big points. There were moments that AD was in rhythm and no one can stop him and Murray has a terrible shooting night.

I think the Lakers can get at least 1 game in this series and break their losing streak. Other Lakers like Austin Reaves have to stop up and help. Although Rui and Reaves has the task of guarding Jokic and Murray and that is big already and perhaps them concentrating on defense put their offense at the back seat as they didn't score double digits. Usually their starting five scores at least 100 points, but not in this series yet.

Yeah, it was a tight game. However, I wouldn't say the Lakers have no chance in this series, even though they have lost 2 games in a row. In fact, if you look at the stats, you can see that now the chance of the Lakers recovering from a 0-2 deficit is only 7.3%. It's not much, but I hope the Lakers will do their best in the next game.

That was an epic game 2 and arguably the most interesting series of the first round so far. It was a true show of class, character and a great sense of urgency from the defending champions. LA Lakers only have themselves to blame after letting what could have been a great advantage before the series heads to Los Angeles slip through their fingers.

Davis issue began when the fouls started to mount up for and he became less physical and aggressive after picking up his fourth personal foul and had to sit at the score table for some while, when his presence on the court could have been well needed.

Nikola Jokic with yet another that performance that will further cement his name as one of the NBA players' all time best while still playing, It was a triple double performance, having scored a double-double in the 1st 12 minutes of the match, he was significantly quiet for majority of the 3rd but was able to find his stroke at the perfect timing while an all-night struggling Jamal Murray nailed the Lakers coffin with an impressive clutch time performance and buzzer beating dagger to heart of the Lakers faithfuls.

--------------

I don't think Lakers stands a chance in this series now, as I'll be backing the Nuggets to steal at least one of the next two games in LA on the road, however, Lakers have also shown that they can put any team on their toes and a run for their money too.

Crazy game 2 between the Lakers and the Nuggets. Everyone thought the Lakers are gonna steal the game 2 as they lead 20 pts at some pt in the 3rd quarter, but the Nuggets didn't give up, was able to establish momentum in the 4th. Though they did not take the lead, but Murray just made a buzzer beater to beat the Lakers by 2 pts.
Man, it looks like the Lakers really stand no chance against the Nuggets. They have not won against them for 2 years straight now lol.
Davis was almost perfect in the 1st half but totally disappeared in the 2nd half.
It looks the Lakers' chance to win this series is by miracle lol.

Celtics today is the favorite to win the championship if they don't face the Nuggets in the finals because they are the ones who top all the teams in the Eastern Conference and they are not those who choke in the playoffs. If they can easily sweep the Heat and their next opponent, them there chance are even higher than expectations. I really hope that they can actually win one since they have been battling so hard to stay on the top and keep improving their games just to head back to the finals and try once again for the championship.

Without Jimmy buckets they are cooked.  They are an average team at best against the Celtics I'd be surprised if Miami wins one.  Celtics have so many ways to beat you and are even better than they have been in years past.  Even with Jimmy I don't think they could contend over a seven game series against them. 

Zion better hope his teammates get at least one win hehe. It's likely going to be a sweep unless Ingram does something great. I think the young Thunders grinding a win over them was a huge confidence boost and they will only dominate from here. I personally wouldn't bet against OKC in this series.

That's their situation and it's a sad one.

I have no updates yet if Butler is going to play for the next match but maybe, they're just going to surprise us if he's ready. I remember last season when the entire playoffs, there's also one key player that wasn't able to play and that's Tyler Herro.

This time, I don't want to think of the same unfortunate situation for the team as another key player isn't there yet. I want to see Heat in the playoffs as I used to be but whatever happens, we have to accept it if they lose.

I thought of the other way around. I think they are better with Zion as he can help create an open shot in the perimeter or beyond the arc when he's crashing the paint since he is difficult to defend with just one defender in front of him. They could have even win that game against the Lakers if he was not injured in the final minutes of the 4th quarter. They were down by double digits, but Zion was a big help as he lead their way to take the lead at one point in the 4th quarter.
Hope he'll get a chance to play in the 1st round as the latest injury report states that he might be cleared to play in the game 5 of the series. Unless they don't get swept in this series, Zion will most likely going to play in the 1st round.

For sure the Dallas Mavericks will adjust their strategy sure all teams will do the same I think that it is good for Luka Doncic to be on standby and be more on the passing side or likely he will be the one that is making the plays the Mavericks had a range of players that they can use and this is the play-offs they need to focus in building their bench guys while the Los Angeles Clippers is playing with their limited team but the Clippers still won the game, I think it is a good strategy to rotate the ball and let the other teammates get the heat and not just Doncic and Irving who would get the heat because that will be exhausting to their part.


You actually have a point the Cleveland Cavaliers don't have any experience with the play-offs but they still have a chance of winning against the New Orleans Pelicans even though some of the main players in the Pelicans had some experience with the play-offs we can not say the least as it is just the start of the playoffs and anything can surely happen I would really like the Cavaliers to show their fangs against the Pelicans as I think they can really do it even though they already won the 1st game the Pelicans can change their strategy next game and could tie the game for this play-offs.

It seems like the Pelicans play strong or let's say they perform well when Zion Williamson isn't playing. Honestly I thought they will lose in Play-in Tournament against Kings because Zion is not playing. Do you think the game would still be this close if he played? Will Zion be able to play in this playoffs 1 round series? It might be better if he doesn't because the Pelicans seem to be playing well. They're also strong in offensive rebounds without Zion Williamson. If CJ McCollum had made his last shot, the Pelicans would have won.

It's the Pelicans who have the most playoffs experience, maybe in terms of team comparison there's only few difference but in terms of player, these two players of the Pelicans have been consistent in the playoffs before.

If you look at the statistics,

CJ - https://basketball.realgm.com/player/CJ-McCollum/Playoffs-History/17251... 10 playoffs appearance.

Jonas Valanciunas - https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Jonas-Valanciunas/Playoffs-History/24239 8 playoffs appearance.

So by just basing on that stats above, we know they are not close in terms of experienced.

I like your analysis. This is what I’m actually thinking when I watch their match. Regular season records is just a number and doesn’t matter if you are lack of experienced. OKC roster is full of young talent that doesn’t have much exposure on games like playoffs which they face same team multiple times for a series of matches.

Pelicans having veteran players on their line up makes them a bit in advantage against a young gen team. I will not be surprised if the Pelicans can eliminate them especially when the match is already move to the Pelicans home. OKC should finish the game as quickly as possible since Zion will come back potentially on game 5. Having 2-2 record will be bad for them.