In today’s NBA playoff game, facing a 0-3 deficit, the Lakers fought back with a 119-108 victory over the Nuggets, narrowing the series to 1-3.
In the first three games, the Lakers held leads of 12 points, 20 points, and 12 points respectively, but each time, they suffered reversals in the second half, losing the games. Particularly painful was the second game, where the Lakers squandered a 20-point lead and fell victim to a buzzer-beating shot.
Netizens dubbed it a “slow simmer, quick boil” situation.
However, in today’s game, the Nuggets failed to stage a comeback. They trailed by 13 points at halftime and fell behind by as much as 19 points in the second half, with the smallest margin being 6 points.
The main reason boils down to two factors, the most basic ones: the Nuggets couldn’t convert on offense, while the Lakers capitalized on their offensive opportunities. It’s as simple as that.
For the Lakers today, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Reeves, and Russell all scored over 20 points, which allowed them to withstand the Nuggets’ counterattacks.
This victory not only restored confidence among Lakers fans but also potentially marked the beginning of a historic comeback.
In NBA history, there have been 151 instances of teams trailing 0-3. Of these, 92 teams were swept, including last season’s Lakers. Forty-four teams were eliminated in Game 5, 11 in Game 6, and 4 in Game 7, including last season’s Celtics.
Overall, the Lakers winning a game already surpasses the previous 92 teams.
In fact, the Lakers have the conditions to make history.
Firstly, they are a high-profile team, and what high-profile teams do tends to have amplified effects, something the NBA enjoys seeing.
Secondly, they have LeBron James, a superstar whom the league favors, hoping he can achieve feats no one else has, to showcase his greatness, like coming back from a 1-3 deficit in 2016.
Thirdly, the Lakers aren’t lacking in talent. With players like Davis, James, and Russell, they have a strong lineup; they just haven’t been performing well.
Looking back at the 2016 NBA Finals, the toughest point for the Lakers would be Game 5. If they win Game 5 and then another at home in Game 6, they can force a Game 7.
And once they’re in Game 7, the Lakers are destined to win!
Even though Game 7 would be played on the road, the Lakers would have the momentum on their side, and the Nuggets would likely be psychologically shattered. Moreover, LeBron James has ample experience in Game 7 situations, ensuring the Lakers’ victory.
In the 2016 NBA Finals:
– In Game 5, Draymond Green was suspended, and the referees managed the game well, leading to a Cavaliers victory.
– In Game 6, playing at home, the Cavaliers managed to get Stephen Curry ejected, controlling the game through fouls, resulting in another Cavaliers win.
– In Game 7, the Warriors simply couldn’t beat the Cavaliers; it was purely a matter of performance, as the Warriors’ mentality had already collapsed.
Comparatively, this year, the Lakers’ toughest challenge is Game 5, especially since the Nuggets didn’t have any players suspended after Game 4. So, the Lakers must resort to tactics like fouling to control the game. As long as they disrupt Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray’s playing time in Game 5, the Lakers have a chance.
Once they get through Game 5, the rest will be easier.
Game 5 is the Nuggets’ last chance. If they fail to win, they’re essentially heading towards becoming the first team to blow a 3-0 lead. When playing against LeBron James, you never know what might happen until the very end. Behind every miracle, there are always some special factors at play.