Lakers falter again, on brink of another playoff sweep to Nuggets ...
With the Lakers in another 3-0 hole to the Nuggets, LeBron James said the pressure the team is facing "is what the postseason is about."
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Lakers vs. Nuggets schedule: Where to watch Game 3, time, TV ...
History: The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have a long-standing rivalry in the NBA, dating back to the 1970s. The Lakers have historically been the more successful team, with 17 NBA championships compared to the Nuggets' zero.
Recent matchups: In recent years, the Lakers and Nuggets have had some intense playoff battles. In the 2020 Western Conference Finals, the Lakers defeated the Nuggets in five games to advance to the NBA Finals.
Star players: The Lakers are led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, two of the top players in the league. The Nuggets, on the other hand, have a dynamic duo in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Coaching: The Lakers are coached by Frank Vogel, who led the team to a championship in 2020. The Nuggets are coached by Michael Malone, who has led the team to multiple playoff appearances.
Home court advantage: The Lakers play their home games at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, while the Nuggets play at the Ball Arena in Denver. Both teams have passionate fan bases that create a raucous atmosphere during games.
Head-to-head matchups: The Lakers and Nuggets have faced off numerous times in the regular season and playoffs. The Lakers have had the upper hand in recent years, but the Nuggets have shown they can compete with the defending champions.
Playing style: The Lakers are known for their strong defense and ability to score in transition, thanks to LeBron James' playmaking. The Nuggets, on the other hand, are an offensively-minded team that relies on Nikola Jokic's passing and scoring ability.
Key matchups: One key matchup to watch is between LeBron James and Jamal Murray. James is a dominant force on both ends of the court, while Murray is a talented scorer who can get hot in a hurry.
Playoff implications: Both the Lakers and Nuggets are expected to be contenders in the Western Conference playoffs. A win in a regular-season matchup could give one team a psychological edge heading into the postseason.
Intensity: Whenever the Lakers and Nuggets face off, you can expect a high level of intensity and competitiveness. Both teams have a strong desire to win and will leave it all on the court in order to come out on top.