The Denver Nuggets secured a critical win over the Los Angeles Lakers to take an early lead in the series. Crickex App reports that Nikola Jokic delivered a commanding, MVP-level performance — a true pillar of dominance on both ends of the floor. Jamal Murray also stepped up as the team’s second scoring option, providing the firepower Denver needed. Beyond their superstar duo, it was the Nuggets’ forwards who truly made the difference, outplaying the Lakers’ backcourt and exploiting mismatches with size and offensive precision.
The Nuggets relied on two key factors to draw first blood — height and offensive versatility. In contrast, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham continued to deploy a starting lineup featuring three guards: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Dennis Schröder, alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. From the opening tip, it was clear this three-guard setup wasn’t going to cut it. The Lakers were outmatched on both ends of the court in the first quarter, while Jokic filled the stat sheet with a near triple-double performance early on.
In the second half, the Lakers mounted a comeback that briefly made the game competitive, but they couldn’t solve Jokic’s unstoppable rhythm. As the saying goes, “Chasing the dream often means walking through fire,” and the Lakers fell short once again. After the game, Coach Ham emphasized that the issue wasn’t height, but rather defensive agility and mobility. He noted that certain players “stand around too much,” and confirmed that they would stick with Rui Hachimura guarding Jokic, while hinting at additional defensive adjustments yet to be revealed.
Crickex App analysts noted that Ham’s plan to carry over the fourth-quarter strategy into Game 2 is not necessarily flawed, but continuing to rely on a three-guard lineup could spell trouble. Unless the Lakers pivot tactically, they risk repeating the same costly mistakes. Jokic, meanwhile, showed no signs of being rattled, stating that this isn’t uncharted territory for him and that Denver will find answers. He openly acknowledged Hachimura’s defensive efforts but made it clear he’s unfazed.
Reportedly, Jokic’s mindset is nothing short of legendary — the kind of player determined to “become king of the court,” no matter the odds. Crickex App suggests head coach Michael Malone is likely already preparing counters for the Lakers’ defensive schemes in the next matchup. If Denver fails to adjust, they could find themselves vulnerable, especially since the Lakers nearly pulled off a comeback using that very strategy. For now, the ball is in Malone’s court, and the Nuggets must respond decisively.