Nuggets
Nuggets Pound the Paint, Pull Away Late to Beat Lakers 121-106
Denver beat the Lakers 121-106 in preseason play at Crypto.com Arena, riding a 56-30 edge in the paint and a trip to the free-throw line to answer every Lakers push. Both teams sit at 0-0 since it's an exhibition, but the Nuggets looked the sharper, more connected group from start to finish.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 4 d ago01The story of the nightNuggets control the quartersDenver opened with a 36-22 first quarter and never trailed by more than 2 the rest of the way — the Lakers' only…
Denver opened with a 36-22 first quarter and never trailed by more than 2 the rest of the way — the Lakers' only lead change. LA clawed back in the second, winning it 33-26 to cut the gap to 62-55 at the half, then won the third 28-26 to get within 88-83. But Denver answered with a 33-23 fourth quarter to close it out, stretching its biggest lead to 17 points. One lead change all night, and the Nuggets had it.
02Murray, Jokic and Braun carry DenverJamal Murray led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, adding 6 assists against just 1 turnover.
Jamal Murray led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, adding 6 assists against just 1 turnover. Nikola Jokic filled the stat sheet with 17 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting, though 6 turnovers kept it from being clean. Christian Braun was the plus-minus leader at +18, scoring 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting with 2 steals. For the Lakers, Austin Reaves led with 19 points but it came at a cost — 6 turnovers and a team-worst -20 on the night.
03Won in the paint, not at the arcDenver shot 58.2% from the field (46-of-79) and outscored LA in the paint 56-30, the single biggest number in the…
Denver shot 58.2% from the field (46-of-79) and outscored LA in the paint 56-30, the single biggest number in the box score. The Lakers actually out-attempted and out-made the Nuggets from three, 17-of-43 to 11-of-27, but shot only 42.7% overall. Denver also had 12 steals to LA's 5. Turnovers were even at 14 apiece, though the Lakers scored more off them, 27 points to Denver's 16 — a sign those extra Nuggets steals didn't always turn into easy buckets.
04Bench play and reservesDenver's bench outscored LA's starters' production with DeMar DeRozan (14 points, 6-of-9 shooting) and Marvin Bagley…
Denver's bench outscored LA's starters' production with DeMar DeRozan (14 points, 6-of-9 shooting) and Marvin Bagley III (13 points, 8 rebounds) leading the reserves. Sandro Mamukelashvili came off the Lakers bench for 15 points on 3-of-7 from three, and Jaden Hardy added 13. Overall bench scoring was close, 45 for the Lakers to 43 for the Nuggets, but Denver's reserves were more efficient with the game largely decided.
05What it means for each teamIt's preseason, so both teams stay at 0-0 regardless, but the tape still matters.
It's preseason, so both teams stay at 0-0 regardless, but the tape still matters. Jokic logged heavy playmaking work (8 assists) with uncharacteristic turnover trouble (6), something Denver will want cleaned up before the games count. For the Lakers, Luka Doncic played just 18.6 minutes and scored 15 points on 3-of-7 from deep, while Austin Reaves struggled with the ball and the minus column. Ziaire Williams was efficient in a short burst, 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, a note worth watching for the rotation.
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