After dropping another close game in Denver, the Lakers (0-2) return home to face the Nuggets (2-0) in Game 3 of their Western Conference Finals playoff series. The game tips at 5:30 p.m. PT on ABC and 710 ESPN radio.
Below are three things to know ahead of the matchup:
HOLDING SERVE
After losing both games in Denver, the Lakers find themselves in an unfamiliar situation these playoffs -- trailing in a series for the first time and winless after the first two games. As the #1 seed and one of the best home teams during the regular season, the Nuggets did what they were supposed to do by holding serve.
Now it is up to the Lakers to do the same. The good news is they, too, have been one of the best home teams of late, particularly after the trade deadline and through the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Since February 11th, the Lakers posted a 10-4 record at home to close out the regular season, outscoring teams by an average of 5.9 points a night. And in the postseason, the Lakers have been even better. In their six home playoff games, the Lakers are undefeated and have outscored opponents by an average of 18.3 points per game, the best mark for home teams in the postseason.
Denver, of course, offers the Lakers their biggest challenge yet in maintaining this sort of dominance at home. But the Lakers should feel confident about returning home and being able to play their best basketball.
History, too, is slightly on the Lakers' side here. Since 1984 in series with a 2-2-1-1-1 format, the higher seeded team has won both their home games 223 times. Of those series, 126 times the team trailing in the series has won Game 3 (56.5% of the time). The Lakers being able to add to that tally is critical in them being able to hold serve themselves and keep extending this series.
D'ANGELO RUSSELL'S RHYTHM
A key reason the Lakers have had such success at home is that D'Angelo Russell has played his best basketball when in the confines of Crypto.com Arena. Here are D-Lo's road/home splits this postseason:
- Road: 8 games, 30.8 minutes, 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 40.4% FG, 24.3% 3-point FG
- Home: 6 games, 31.9 minutes, 18.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 47.6% FG, 39.5% 3-point FG
In the first two games vs. Denver, Russell is averaging nine points a game on 36.8% shooting and has connected on one of his eight attempts from behind the arc. Getting him in position to find his rhythm is necessary not just for his own level of play, but because of how instrumental he can be for the Lakers overall success. A return home offers him a great opportunity to find that rhythm.
Denver, to their credit, have put Russell in the bull's-eye of their game plan, understanding his importance to the Lakers offense. They have hounded him defensively, and both head coach Michael Malone and reserve guard Bruce Brown commented that challenging Russell to defend at a high level on the other end of the floor is a Nuggets' priority.
Russell has shown these playoffs that he's able to meet these moments with strong games that help propel the Lakers to wins. A strong performance in Game 3 would go a long way in boosting his team in this series.
MORE ADJUSTMENTS COMING?
The Lakers have already made a few tweaks and changes to their lineups and defensive coverages this series. And while they do not yet have a win to show for these adjustments, they had some success in slowing down a potent Nuggets' offense in Game 2 and posting good shot quality for their own offense.
Considering the margin of these games has been just 11 total points, the Lakers are in a situation where they know what they have been doing can have some success and put them in position to win, while also seeking more solutions to get over the hump and claim some momentum of their own. As Coach Ham has noted in previous series, finding the right balance between scheme and execution is imperative in a playoff setting.
For the Lakers, the early returns on some of their lineups show that groupings involving Dennis Schröder and Rui Hachimura playing next to LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis have been pretty successful. The five-man lineup of those four players along with Austin Reaves has played 15 minutes together and have a net rating of +44.1 in those minutes. That group has shown to have strong execution on both sides of the ball, with a nice balance between size, athleticism, speed, strength, and skill.
Additionally, alternating defensive assignments on Nikola Jokic with Rui Hachimura and LeBron, and by putting Anthony Davis in more help situations has been a boost to the Lakers overall defense, while also challenging Jokic's ability to finish in the paint as efficiently. Continuing to build in this success while having answers to potential Denver counters will be important.
On the Nuggets' side, they have leaned into playing a shortened rotation in which six players are playing the majority of the minutes. This has put a heavy burden on Jokic and Jamal Murray to carry their offense, a call they have been able to answer so far. And being up 2-0, they have had little reason to deviate from this plan.
As the series shifts to Los Angeles, the Lakers can continue to challenge the Nuggets' depth and ability to execute to the level they have been while playing such a short rotation. The Lakers' level of desperation can help them test Denver's spirit and stamina, and this game just may come down to which side has more in the tank down the stretch.