LeBron Sets Milestone, Lakers Fall at Mile High 120-113

Written By Malcolm Xavier of The Lakers Room

LA came in looking for its first big win of the season. Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation states "The Lakers haven't had a signature win since Oct. 29th vs the Minnesota Timberwolves" while guest appearing on Allen Sliwa's show. I cant say I disagree with him, and while the current win streak is nothing to sneeze at, it also hasnt provided the biggest reason for optimism due to the nature of competition. If they win tonight however, I'd count this one not only as a quality win but a possible launch point. Before the game I made a predicton, which I never do. The Lakers win tonight! Let's see.

1st Quarter

Denver started the game with an 11-0 run. 9 points from Jamal Murray including two three point bombs. Timeout Lakers who have already gave up 4 offensive rebounds, there's 9 minutes left in the first quarter. LeBron converted the first field goal for the Lakers on a driving layup after a Luka free throw, the Nuggets quickly responded with 5 straight to go up 16-3 on a Julian Strather and one. The Lakers got the lead back to 10 by the tail end of the quarter at 30-20 with 6 points from Luka before exiting with a minute and a half left in the period. The Lakers missed a lot of point blank layups that should go down in the second half, two from Jaxson Hayes and one from Ayton. Murray cooled off and ended the quarter with nine after the initial burst. Jokic added 6 points 5 rebounds and 4 assist in the quarter. Valencunias was fouled on a mid range jumper by Vanderbilt, followed by LeBron breaking Kareems all time field goal record on a turnaround. Denver led 32-22 after one.

2nd Quarter

The second quarter was a game of runs - literally. Denver started the quarter on an 8-3 run to go up 40-25 capped by a bomb from Jamal Murray. LA ran off 12 straight punctuated by a Doncic crafty finish to get the score to 40-37 and a one possession game. Denver followed with an 11-2 run of its own to go up 51-39. Austin Reaves scored on a layup to stop the bleeding for a moment, four more quick points from Denver now up 55-41. LA responds with an 11-2 run of its own to close it back to 57-52 on a Kennard corner three pointer. Denver followed with a 5-0 run to go up 10 62-52 on a Strawther three. Jokic added a layup and LeBron responded with a falling down 18 footer but the Nuggets led 64-54 to end the half.

3rd Quarter

Ayton did not join the Lakers on the court or the bench out of halftime, Jaxson Hayes started in his place, the team stated due to a knee issue. Hayes started with an alley oop finish off a Doncic feed, Denver answered with a call from 7-0 run on a Murray three pointer and a layup by Strawther plus two free throws from Jokic to put the Nuggets up 15 71-56. Reaves hit a three to stop the bleeding and cut the lead to 12. Denver went on another 9-6 run to get the lead back to 15 80-65. LA blizted the Nuggets on a 13-2 run including two three pointers from Smart and a ridiculous move and finish from Reaves with Jokic in front of him to cut the lead to 82-78 timeout Denver 4:06 remaining in the third. Denver scored the first four out of the timeout to get the lead back to 86-78 on a Jokic tip shot and a Braun layup. The Lakers had bad misses in the stretch from Rui and LaRavia. Bruce Brown added a three to put Denver up 89-78. Luka's floater cut it back to single digits. Jokic hit two free throws but Luka hit two huge threes including an improbable banker to close the quarter, but the Nuggets led 93-86.

4th Quarter

Tim Hardaway Jr started the fourth with a three pointer, next he was fouled on a three point attempt where he made two Denver went up 98-86. Reaves scored to cut it to ten. A Zeke Naji bucket and two Valencunias free throws pushed it back to fourteen before a Rui Hachimura three cut the lead to 102-91, shortly after LeBron found Jaxson Hayes for a bucket down low and a dunk to get the score to 102-95. James capped the 9-0 run with a four foot hook shot to cut the lead to 5 with 7:29 remaining 102-97 Nuggets. Out of the timeout the Lakers forced a turnover on Jamal Murray which led to a Rui runout. Jokic answered off the glass with a spin move before Jaxson Hayes and Strawther traded a two for a Nuggets three to put Denver up 107-101 with five and a half minutes remaining. Luka missed a wide open three on the after timeout, then fouled Braun down low to push the Nuggets lead to 108-101 after he missed one at the stripe. Marcus Smart hit a huge straight away three to trim the lead to 108-104. Strawther and LeBron traded layups to bring the score to 110-106 Denver. Hayes and Rui scored after two Strawther free throw to cut the Nuggets kead to 112-110, Reaves had a chance to tie the game up on a foul but missed a free throw, Jokic followed with two clutch buckets down low the second coming with 22.3 remaining to give the Nuggets a late 116-111 lead. Luka missed a three and Nuggets hit their free throws to win the game 120-113 and tie the season series.