Lakers try to take positives from Game 2 collapse vs. Nuggets

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers reconvened on Wednesday for the primary time since their Game 2 collapse Monday in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.

As crushing because the Denver’s 20-point comeback may need felt within the second, LeBron James stated that Wednesday’s movie session let the Lakers see some encouraging indicators.

“We generated some great shots,” James stated. “We missed a lot of shots at the rim that we’ve been making throughout the course of this season.”

James was 4-for-11 at photographs on the rim, tied for essentially the most layups and dunks he is missed in a playoff recreation since becoming a member of the Lakers, in accordance to ESPN Stats & Information analysis.

“The film session was very revealing with which side of the ball we struggled at,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated. “We were great defensively. Offensively, there was a lot of shots we wish we could have back.”

Ham stated he likes utilizing movie classes to develop as a workforce as a result of it removes the “postgame emotions” that may skew the notion of what occurred.

To that finish, Ham was requested about Anthony Davis‘ feedback on Monday that have been perceived as an indictment of the teaching employees by some when the Lakers heart stated, “We have stretches where we just don’t know what we’re doing on both ends of the floor.”

Ham figured Davis’ feedback got here within the warmth of the second and defended his teaching employees.

“I mean, I just think sometimes when plays don’t turn out the way you think they should, then the frustration sets in a little bit,” Ham stated. (*2*)But I’ll agree to disagree on that one.”

No one can disagree with the tough position that the Lakers are in.

Down 0-2 against a team that’s now won 10 straight against them and happens to be the defending champions, Thursday’s Game 3 is what the Lakers’ 2023-24 season comes down to, pretty much.

After building a 12-point lead in Game 1 and a 20-point advantage in Game 2, Ham said there is plenty to build on despite the losses.

“You have to perceive why you failed at one thing,” Ham said. “It’s not simply, ‘We failed, let’s scrap the entire plan and go this fashion.’ No. You have to perceive why issues went the way in which they went.”

That said, the most important thing for the Lakers is to prove they can hold a lead over Denver with the clock ticking down in the fourth quarter when the outcome is being decided.

“It’s all about sustainability,” James said. “It would not matter what you are able to do all through the primary 47½ minutes. You obtained to shut the sport, which we did not do. We obtained to do a greater job of that. But a number of the issues that we have executed over the primary couple video games, we’re very excited and completely satisfied about these.

“But we got to do a better job of closing it.”