- 2 days ago
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00This is ESPN on ABC.
00:09This week in the NBA.
00:11Step back three!
00:12He's got it!
00:14OKC wins!
00:15When I get to snapping like doo-wop,
00:17I really got the juice like Tupac.
00:19History was re-written.
00:2183.
00:22Bam on a mile.
00:23The second most points in NBA history.
00:26How would you do that?
00:28Off the poetry, I flew.
00:30Say I'm too sick, I chew.
00:31Jake, you'll get settled in and topples well chamberlain.
00:34All the records are great, but they don't matter if you don't win.
00:37Contenders faced off.
00:39A basket fast.
00:41Jalen Brown being held back.
00:43And the highlights kept coming.
00:45On the drive!
00:47He puts him on the deck!
00:49Stop playing.
00:50Oh Leonard!
00:51Getting busy!
00:53Stop playing.
00:54What a pass for the hearts!
00:5551 tonight for Luka.
00:58The rim kills the rug.
00:59It's the lead!
01:00This week, truly had it all.
01:03Nuggets late.
01:04Tonight on ABC.
01:06Home of the finals.
01:10A wild and very eventful NBA regular season winding down.
01:15Crazy high temperatures.
01:17Made the city scorching hot this week.
01:19Lakers trying to follow suit.
01:21They've won seven of eight.
01:23As we look at the starting lineups.
01:25And for both coaches pleased to have the starting lineups that they hope would be the case most nights.
01:31With Murray, Brown, Johnson, Gordon and Jokic for the Denver Nuggets.
01:36Meanwhile, for the Lakers.
01:37Also, very close to full health.
01:41DeAndre Ayton's had some good games lately.
01:42Of course, the big three.
01:44And Marcus Spark, who leads the defense.
01:46The key for all teams is about being healthy.
01:49And a little more on that.
01:50For the first time, we say hello to Lisa Salters.
01:52Hey, Lisa.
01:52Hey, Mike.
01:53Well, Denver got hit hard by the injury bug this season.
01:57But now with 15 games to go in the regular season, they're getting healthy at just the right time to
02:03make a deep playoff run.
02:04Take a look at all of the games missed by the Nuggets starting five this season.
02:08And when you add in Peyton Watson, their six man off the bench.
02:11You can see that almost all of their top six guys have missed significant time.
02:15A combined 142 games.
02:17But again, Denver's health trending in the right direction.
02:21Aaron Gordon back on the floor tonight playing in just his fourth game since returning from that hamstring injury.
02:25Gordon didn't play on Thursday against the Spurs because it was the second night of a back-to-back.
02:30And the Nuggets want to be smart about how they manage his return.
02:33Head coach David Adelman said he feels good now having his guys back.
02:37But in about two weeks, he said he's going to feel even better when everyone has found their rhythm.
02:42Adelman said the Nuggets have been just surviving for the last three months.
02:45And being whole again is bringing back a much needed sense of harmony in the locker room.
02:50Mike?
02:51Well, Lisa, 41 and 26 is a pretty good way to survive.
02:54But both these teams feel when they have their complete rosters playing that they can beat anybody come playoff time,
03:01Richard.
03:01Well, it is true.
03:02They can beat.
03:03You understand.
03:03LeBron James and his four championship.
03:06Luka being to the finals.
03:08Denver won a championship a few years ago.
03:10These are two teams with ultra confidence.
03:12It's just about how well they're playing and how healthy they are when they need it.
03:16All the talent out there really means you just have to execute and get everybody on the floor the same
03:20night.
03:21They're starting to get that both groups and you're starting to see more of that consistency offensively.
03:26Two of the highest powered offenses in the league when they get it going.
03:29Well, the two best shooting teams in the NBA, that's for sure.
03:34As Denver, number one in scoring, number two in field goal percentage.
03:38The Lakers are number one in field goal percentage.
03:41Both teams have been up and down defensively.
03:44But full rosters bring them more good defensive players.
03:50Murray, guarded by Doncic, 5 of the 24.
03:53Murray, quick jump shot, got the first one to go.
03:56He has been on some heater recently.
03:57He has.
03:58And really, this is how he normally plays in the second half of the season.
04:02It was always the start to the season for Jamal Murray.
04:05This year, got off to a great start, was in tremendous health,
04:08and that's why he was able to get his first All-Star game this year.
04:11Raves up to Doncic.
04:12Yeah, he said he's going to concentrate more this year on November and December, which he did.
04:15This concentration has not wavered at all.
04:19Doncic knocks down his first shot.
04:21He had a nine threes last time out.
04:24The 51-point performance against the Bulls.
04:28Murray's going to try again.
04:30In and out.
04:31And DeAndre 8 in the rebound.
04:32James throws it ahead.
04:34Doncic from beyond the arc.
04:36Not that time.
04:37Tipped and taken by Cam Johnson.
04:38Well, the only player in the league who takes more on an average night is Steph Curry.
04:42Look at Doncic looking for that shot early.
04:45And it's definitely an emphasis for the Denver Nuggets to try to force him off the line
04:49and into more coverage situations.
04:52Aaron Gordon falling away.
04:54Tough shot.
04:55Gets it a go.
04:56Gordon's such a key part of this team, especially defensively,
04:59but he's also grown to be an excellent all-around offensive player.
05:02Yeah, no, his three-point shot has improved.
05:04That's what's been so tough about the injuries this year is that skill-wise,
05:09he has been improving all season long, really over his whole career.
05:13But to see those injuries, it really just kind of slowed him down.
05:16Jokic against Doncic.
05:18Two very good friends, these two elite talents.
05:23There's Cameron Johnson.
05:24Garner by smart.
05:25Nice feet inside.
05:26Jokic gets it a go.
05:27Beautiful pass from Cam Johnson.
05:29And it's so smart by Jokic.
05:31He saw Luca trying to get in position to front him,
05:34and he just basically chucked him to the side.
05:37Back cut.
05:37Got an easy look.
05:38Aiton couldn't quite grab it.
05:40Jokic leads the break the other way.
05:43Murray drives hard.
05:44Ball deflected.
05:45Murray gets it back.
05:49Christian Brown, again, as Lisa talked about,
05:51another one of the starters who missed a bunch of games.
05:53Jokic rifles the pass, but Gordon cut to the basket,
05:56couldn't grab a turnover.
05:59And this is what I'm talking about on the last possession.
06:02Cam Johnson comes off his dribble.
06:03And if you want to post up Luca, you see him trying to position himself
06:06for the front, but Jokic so smart to flash to the open area.
06:10And, of course, if he gets that ball at six, eight feet,
06:13with that soft touch, he's going to convert that.
06:16Denver one of the best road teams in the NBA, 23 and 13 on the road.
06:23Lakers, meanwhile, have been playing much better at home recently,
06:26part of this nice streak they're on.
06:28Marcus Smart walks into a three, gets it a go.
06:36By the way, that Murray shot, they initially counted as a two.
06:39They changed to a three, so you see the difference in the score.
06:42Trying to get it all inside.
06:43Good interior defense by the Lakers.
06:45Dodgers leading the break.
06:46Three on two.
06:47Back to Reeves.
06:48Wide open.
06:49Three-pointer.
06:49Got it.
06:50They've hit three threes already.
06:52That's nuts.
06:53Because he had three different options.
06:55He was like, I'm going to go look for Lobb.
06:56Oh, you're going to back up.
06:57Okay, I hit Austin.
06:59Just that skill, patience, that's tough to guard.
07:02Cam Johnson, a new member of the Nuggets, very talented player,
07:06just still trying to find that consistency with his new team.
07:11Brown inside, stripped by Smart, and last touch by Brown.
07:15Marcus Smart forces his first turnover of the night.
07:21Smart's been saying all year, we've got a chance to be really good.
07:25We just have to continue to trust each other.
07:27Well, and trusting the three, they've taken six shots, all of them from three-point range,
07:32and four of them have gone down.
07:34And that's just a mistake.
07:35You know, you have a lot of congestion in the lane.
07:36You're trying to take away that initial roll action.
07:39You can't drift that far off a corner shooter.
07:43Yelkic passed inside.
07:44Shot blocked with a foul.
07:46Gordon wanted a go 10, not going to get it, but he will shoot two free throws.
07:51And Legs talked about this mistake.
07:53You get Luka going downhill.
07:55If you come too far, that is way too much distance.
07:58You have to be able to get back to that, make him put it on, and then watch.
08:02Luka kind of hesitates in the air, has LeBron on the lob.
08:06Austin does a good job of just getting deep enough in his vision to be available and knock it down.
08:11Gordon misses the first free throw.
08:13It's only his 27th game of the season tonight.
08:16Lisa reported earlier about his right hamstring.
08:19But he's probably there, certainly their most versatile defensive player.
08:24But he's also become a playmaker.
08:26He's become a better three-point shooter.
08:32Invaluable to the Nuggets as he hits one of two.
08:37Here's Reeves.
08:38Reeves coming off some excellent games back-to-back as well.
08:43Donchich being chased by Christian Brown.
08:46Donchich fires away and knocks down another.
08:48Luka Donchich, two for three.
08:50And a timeout call by David Adelman.
08:53Five of seven from long distance to start for the Lakers.
08:56Well, the Nuggets were hoping to make Luka Donchich play inside that three-point line.
09:00Not great success here early.
09:02Luka knocks down two.
09:04Great start for the Lakers.
09:08For Denver, you see right here Christian Brown trying to get on top side so Luka can't come off that
09:13dribble handoff.
09:14But very clever on the part of Luka goes under the first screen and then over the top and still
09:18able to get into that three-point shot.
09:20Clever and Donchich go very well together as Jokic throws across court.
09:25Second turnover for Nikola Jokic.
09:27Third turnover already for Denver.
09:30That's one of the areas they're very good in throughout the season.
09:33And one of the fewest turnovers, number three in the NBA and fewest turnovers per game.
09:43Eight, who's a good screen center.
09:45Now the double team on Donchich.
09:47Smart swings it.
09:49Reeves off the fake.
09:50The bounce goes right inside and backs it home.
09:52What a tough shot.
09:54And I love that by Austin Reeves.
09:56Don't avoid the contact.
09:58Go at the big fella as Cam Johnson knocks down a three.
10:02And I know Denver loves to see him get on track early.
10:04But I love that swing rotation all the way across.
10:08Austin drives the closeout and is aggressive getting into the bank.
10:13Nice feed inside.
10:14Ayton gathers.
10:15Murray hacks him.
10:17Free throws for Ayton.
10:18Donchich with a good entry pass.
10:19And of course going to the free throw line is the player that everybody calls the X factor for the
10:24Lakers.
10:25There's no doubt.
10:25I mean when he's more engaged and he particularly,
10:29he gets off to a start early where he gets touches.
10:31He gets a couple to drop.
10:32It just seems like his entire game is affected by that.
10:36Last time they played Denver,
10:38he played the first five minutes of the game and he did not see the court again the rest of
10:42the night.
10:42Lakers are pretty frustrated with his effort in that game.
10:45Good to see him get a touch here early.
10:48Back to back double-doubles for eight.
10:50Twenty three points.
10:51Ten rebounds Thursday.
10:52Fourteen and twelve Tuesday.
10:55Said he's more engaged and more focused.
10:59Cam Johnson chased off the three-point line.
11:02Feet inside.
11:03Deflected by Donchich.
11:07And I think if I'm Cam Johnson, like you just made a shot.
11:10I thought on that swing pass you had space to shoot that three from 27 feet with somebody running at
11:15you.
11:16Instead he overthinks it, puts it down, doesn't get an opportunity.
11:20Well, Donchich got his opportunity and nailed it.
11:23Johnson has talked about that.
11:25He says there's a hesitancy.
11:27And David Adelman said I'd rather him take a bad shot and be aggressive because they need him to play
11:31his game.
11:32Well, sometimes when you're a new player and you come to an established team, you don't want to mess up
11:36anything.
11:37As LeBron James knocks down that turnaround.
11:39So for a guy like Johnson, he wants to fit in.
11:42And that's what Adelman said.
11:43We don't want you to fit in here.
11:44We want you to use your ability and maximize it.
11:48Lakers have hit seven of their first nine.
11:50James trying to knock it away from Murray.
11:52Gets it back.
11:54Murray fakes, kicks it out the corner.
11:56Christian Brown off the mark.
12:03High scoring start.
12:04Good shooting start for these two teams.
12:06As they're midway through the first and a foul away from the ball.
12:09He's going to go against Cam Johnson.
12:11That's his first.
12:13And Lex, you talked about in the open how they're utilizing Braun and where they can maximize him.
12:19And getting him in that post area against smaller players.
12:22Really playing a power forward position.
12:24Not handling the ball as the point forward as much.
12:28That's where you can kind of utilize him.
12:30You can save some of his energy and pick your spots where he can be aggressive.
12:34Rui Hachimura comes into the game.
12:38As does Luke Kennard.
12:40Kennard has made a really nice difference.
12:41Dodget's falling away.
12:42Can't get that one to fall.
12:44Ayton deflects it.
12:45Ball loose.
12:45Picked up by Jokic.
12:46Throws it ahead to Brown.
12:48Sidestep.
12:49Gets inside.
12:50Nice shot from Christian Brown with already got fouled.
12:52Great body control by Christian Brown.
12:54Didn't know exactly where he was going to go with that.
12:56So he goes up with the left hand.
12:57He probably commits an offensive foul.
13:00Kennard.
13:00His first shot misses.
13:01He all gets the rebound.
13:03Nuggets looking to push the pace every time.
13:07A quick pace favors who, guys?
13:09Oh, it favors the Denver Nuggets in my opinion.
13:11They're one of the teams that gets out in transition.
13:14Christian Brown, due to injury, doesn't have those high number of fast break points.
13:18But when he plays a certain amount, he hits those fast break points probably better than anybody in this league.
13:24And you know what else, RJ?
13:25They're number one in the league in three-point percentage.
13:27So when the game speeds up, your best looks from the three-point line come in early offense.
13:32So when the game is sped up, definitely favors Denver.
13:36Murray looking to post up Reeves.
13:38The fake, the footwork, the shot.
13:39No good, but a foul.
13:41Reeves not pleased with the call.
13:43He'll pick up his first.
13:47So Reeves will go to the line.
13:53Reeves, again, his first all-star team this year.
13:55He has to be an all-NBA player, too.
13:58The kind of season he has.
13:59Not just the numbers in terms of scoring and playmaking, but the efficiency.
14:03Well, yeah.
14:04And for Jamal Murray, it's really about where do they finish in those seeds.
14:08If they can get up to three, they can get up to two.
14:12Most likely not two with San Antonio.
14:14But if they can get higher up.
14:15If they're in that sixth spot, it might be hard.
14:17Because you know Jokic is going to be in consideration for all of those awards also.
14:23Well, Jokic can only miss one more game down the stretch.
14:27As Dodgers took a shot in the sensitive hair.
14:30And he's looking at Rui Hachimoro who's responsible.
14:36Dodgers drive.
14:37Jokic tries to help.
14:38What a tough pass.
14:39Reeves gets it.
14:40Once again, drives inside and scores.
14:42Austin Raves taking it to the rack.
14:44And the Lakers go up by four.
14:46That's twice, same action.
14:47He gets the swing pass in the corner against a very hard closeout.
14:51Puts it down and rather than take a mid-range,
14:53decides to get all the way to the rim.
14:56Murray, three-pointer.
14:58Canard the rebound.
15:01Dodgers already six points, three assists.
15:03He leads the NBA in scoring, but also in scoring in the first quarter.
15:06This is that shot.
15:08Tim Hardaway Jr.
15:11Throws it ahead to Gordon.
15:12Gordon stops, tries the three.
15:15Jackson Hayes, the rebound.
15:24Dodgers trying to draw some contact.
15:26He does count it and a foul.
15:28Brown, he's not happy.
15:29That's his first.
15:30Dodgers with a chance for a three-point play.
15:33Yeah, that little hesitation where he just stops for a quick half count.
15:37And then he's allowing Christian Brown.
15:39He's using his momentum against him right there.
15:42Just slows down enough.
15:43He knows he's got Christian Brown on his left side right there.
15:46And gets that shoulder to go into his chest.
15:49Really, mostly vertical on the part of Christian Brown.
15:52But we know.
15:52Do you like that call?
15:53RJ, we just know.
15:54It doesn't matter if I like it or not.
15:56I asked you if you like the call.
15:57That is a part of NBA offense.
15:59You have been following this league for 70 years.
16:02I don't like to call, but I expect that call now.
16:04Okay, that's fair.
16:05I'll allow that.
16:06I'll allow that as an answer.
16:07Just answer the question.
16:08I love when you get angry at each other.
16:11Coming up, about four minutes left here on the first.
16:16Again, this game will clinch a tiebreaker for one of these two teams
16:20should they finish even.
16:22As Murray drives inside, flips an upshot short.
16:25Hayes tips at a canard.
16:28Lakers shooting 64% from the field to start.
16:32Donchich whips a pass to Reeves.
16:34Hachimura off the bounce.
16:36Two-pointer is good.
16:38They're now 10 for 15 from the field.
16:40Great start offensively for the Lakers.
16:42And they're winning all of these closeout situations.
16:45Denver doing a decent job of chasing these first passes on a part of Luka Doncic.
16:50But the Lakers are having answers at the end of those by attacking the closeout.
16:54Spencer Jones, who's had some terrific games lately.
16:57Maybe his best one in their last outing.
16:59Misses that.
17:00Donchich going coast to coast.
17:01Tried to draw a foul.
17:03And Jones fouled him.
17:06Late whistle, but there was a call.
17:07Jones did not object whatsoever as he picks up his first.
17:12I'm surprised that they called that shooting.
17:14Because it looked like he got caught in the air.
17:16And then just got fouled and then threw it up.
17:20I agree.
17:21There we go.
17:23Finally, somebody with some sense around him.
17:25Well, do you think maybe it was because the whistle was a little late
17:29and he didn't know if he was going to get the call?
17:31So he was sort of thinking about maybe I got to pass this.
17:34Let's check it out on the replay, Lex.
17:36So here, look.
17:37He looks like he's wanting to pass.
17:41Look.
17:41See, he's looking off.
17:42Then the foul occurs.
17:43And now he's like, oh, wait.
17:44Let me throw it towards the rim.
17:46So you were saying?
17:47What you're supposed to do.
17:48Yeah.
17:48I 100% agree.
17:49He was supposed to do that.
17:51He was not looking.
17:52He was not looking.
18:00Ten point early lead for the Lakers.
18:07Lurie.
18:08Jokic.
18:09Guarded by Hayes.
18:10Tough matchup for anybody, including Jackson Hayes.
18:13Jokic scoops it up and in.
18:15He's three for three.
18:16Anbon Dortran does a piece of position behind 공ca.
18:30Every member of Kaganu Ori.
18:31He's 56.
18:35Flori through this field.
18:36He's having larger wins through her pallet length.
18:37He was gonna hit back at the hinten by four прид.
18:38aspire to see him away from everything.
18:40Never.
18:41They're still making the ball.
18:42And lead to remaining in is the ball part of the mound.
18:42He's a holding.
18:42And he's standing, he sinks and he guilty.
18:43Eventually caught up andист if he can he'll do it.
18:47Jokic back shot can't get it Dutch. It's the rebound
18:51Some words for your pitch perhaps again those two have a fun relationship always ribbon each other not just gets
18:57inside beautiful layup too strong
19:00Jokic throws it ahead
19:02Round the sidestep past Reeves backs at home once again. You'll catch leaving that break
19:06Yeah, that throw ahead great assist man always know how to throw that ball ahead
19:12Jokic being one of the best big men ever to do it
19:17Lakers cooking early up seven two to go with the first
19:31See some stars mic'd up tonight
19:35What's up all
19:37See we don't help see me. No help. No, I got it
19:41No, no get back
19:43Hey
19:45JJ
19:46You see what's there now. Okay. There's your sign
19:49Hey, you got one
19:51DA that's a little too early a little too early. All right, make the next one. Don't worry about the
19:55last one
19:58Constant communication that's the only way to play this game
20:01It went on defense on offense to communication during timeout
20:05JJ said it in our meeting if our team is talking if we're talking during huddles, that's what I know
20:10we're locked in
20:12That's it misses that one all goes out of bounds. Nuggets will get it back Bruce Brown seeing his first
20:16minutes
20:20Round back in Denver once again a perfect fit for this team part of the championship team in 2023
20:27Smart trying to hold off Jokic. We've been seeing smaller guys every once in a while guard them hardaway corner
20:33three
20:41Canard
20:43Pass deflected out of bounds
20:45Good art playing in his 17th game with the Lakers
20:49Far from Atlanta
20:51He has been a big boost not just because he's a three-point threat with JJ Redick raving about him
20:56before the game
20:57Yeah, his playmaking ability I think is underrated. It's not just his ability to catch and shoot his percentages are
21:02off the chart
21:03But it's his ability to make a play catch and drive a closeout and make a play for the next
21:08guy
21:08Stabilizes their offense because of the threat he represents, but he's a lot more than just a threat off the
21:13ball like he's really smart with it
21:15That's what JJ Redick was just lauding him before
21:18So heavily about but you talk with the shooting percentage 57% in the time he's been with the Lakers
21:23But it got it takes about six shots at night. That is incredibly difficult to do
21:27Hardaway knocks down a three
21:30Hardaway
21:31They're in Denver doing just that every team needs somebody come off the bench knock down some threes
21:39Hardaway leads the NBA in three-pointers off the bench smart tries again and smart knocks down one. That's a
21:46second
21:46I
21:48Lakers are six of twelve from three
21:54See with this second unit no Jamal Murray you have Jokic but this is also the time for camp Johnson
21:59to be able to play on the ball
22:01And get some more touches for rhythm my arcing three won't go Dodgers throws it ahead stolen by Hardaway
22:09It's great awareness by Hardaway because you know the Lakers are always looking to throw that advanced pass
22:15Jokic
22:16placed up a three
22:20Not just coming the other way
22:22Cam Johnson guarding him
22:24Not just aggressive puts it up and in Luka Dodgers 12 points five assists and five rebounds here in the
22:31first
22:32That's my career averages
22:34It's he has that every single night in the first it's been watching him set the tone in the first
22:40quarter really all season long
22:41That that's not an easy thing to do
22:44Shot clock turned off
22:48Jokic gets inside just lumbers in and banks at home easily
22:51It once he gets the leverage on that drive and he saw there was nobody underneath trying to take a
22:56charge easy pickets for Jokic
22:58Notch it's at the buzzer off the mark
23:01The first quarter comes to an end the Dodgers and the Lakers come in with a four-game winning streak
23:06off to a good start
23:09That's it's with 12 points leads the NBA in first quarter points
23:15Hey, well, Nikola Jokic
23:16Nine early points with a couple of assists we played one quarter here in L.A. Lakers an eight-point
23:21lead
23:26We stopped Christians tell me down eight. What did you like about that first quarter we started slow?
23:32We got to turn it up on defense a little bit be more physical, but we'll fix it
23:35You mentioned the defense the Lakers were hot in that first quarter from three
23:39What do you have to clean up defensively there?
23:41Yeah, just be more physical
23:42I think we let Luca run pretty free in the first quarter, so we got to tighten that up be
23:46more physical going forward
23:47All right, Lease
23:51Brown looks 17 before he got the facial hair now. He looks 19
23:56Pass it side valentunas his first shot comes off the bench valentunas the veteran in his first year with denver
24:03Valentunas is a starting center on a lot of teams in this league and the fact that denver when we
24:07talk about bolstering their bent
24:09You have valentunas coming off your bench. He's going to give starting centers some problems
24:14And so when you go from yokich to valentunas that just shows the potential that this different up his team
24:19has
24:19Reeves the runner right up
24:22Weird angle bank shot ball deflected out of bounds. Nuggets say it should be their ball the officials say Laker
24:27ball
24:2814 on the shot clock as you'll catch gets his rest with Gordon Gordon still on a minutes restriction
24:34Marcus smart is feeling it from three already has
24:37three three-pointers now three four five
24:41All right find valentunas
24:45Pass stolen by smart
24:47Take the Arabia his first minutes of the night James sets fires knocks down the three eight three-pointers already
24:55for the Lakers and they're up a dozen
24:56Well, this is the shot
24:57It's obvious that Denver wants to live with here early because the amount of action they're sending to the lane
25:03defensively
25:04And I think Adelman is hoping that they're gonna cool off at some point, but not yet over 50%
25:10from the three-point line of start
25:12Tim Hardaway seven to shoot the Arabia doing a good job contests that well hard away can't hit rebound deflected
25:19taken by Spencer Jones
25:23Balanchunas pass deflected by James Laker defense very active very active
25:28I love that rotation that they had off the double team from from Balanchunas
25:32You don't see that that pass isn't there until that defender comes in there and takes it away
25:40Thanks posting up Jamal Murray
25:44Bull is his way inside that falls away and knocks it down James is three for three now. It's a
25:4914-point lead
25:55Lakers shooting 59% and playing some good tenacious defense Jamal Murray little spin move
26:01Reeves snatches the rebound
26:06Game is gonna try another three that one way off now a Judas
26:12Shuffles it over to Murray
26:23Now a Judas looking shot clock again winding down
26:27Murray's got it with six to shoot
26:30Struggles with it's gonna have the hoist went up fires up a heat hole
26:3524 second violation
26:38My turnovers make that six turnovers for Denver
26:40So we used to call this defense Peyton where you would come from the bottom side
26:44So that pass looks like it's open for Balanchunas, but you know your rotation
26:49So you almost bait him into that pass and it leads to an easy transition three for LeBron James
26:55First for the Nuggets over the years the non-jokic minutes are so important
26:59Reeves or he gets out of the way and Reeves backs one home
27:03Reeves taking it to the basket he's got 12 points on five of seven and the Lakers have opened up
27:09a 16-point lead
27:10No answers right now for Denver defensively this Lakers offense in perfect rhythm
27:14Austin Reeves getting to the hole at will
27:27For tonight's DraftKings sportsbook player pulse
27:30Spotlight on two of the elite scorers in this league both off to hot starts tonight
27:36DraftKings is the number one sportsbook for live betting use promo code splash when you sign up
27:42Jamal Murray trying to get going one of seven so far to start
27:47Eight picks up Murray
27:50Bruce Brown gets inside nice left hand off the glass for Brown
27:55It's first points off the bench
27:58Can both these teams win healthy have some good solid depth?
28:03But the depths have been tested throughout the season with all the injuries
28:08Reeves nice pass inside games can't get it Jones will pick up a second
28:15And James will go to the line, you know so much talk guys this year about
28:19The big three and the numbers when James Reeves and Dodgers were on the court together are not good
28:25Three high-usage guys who like to have the ball in their hands J.J. Redick was talking to us
28:29Before the game about this conversation that he had with LeBron James
28:33He said James initiated it about how does he help the team maximize
28:37Their potential when he's on the court with the other three and he's been starting to sacrifice
28:42Well once you get to this age and I know we might joke about those
28:45But as you transition to that next layer of a player you can look back in history Karl Malone
28:51Trey are changing his game coming and playing with the Lakers Kareem Abdul Jabbar having James Worthy having Magic Johnson
28:57and not being the horse
28:58But being a person that contributed in a way that they needed him when they needed him
29:03So that's just part of the evolution as you get older in this league
29:08And using him more as a screen dive guy in the middle of the floor you saw this a lot
29:13against Chicago
29:14He scored on the last possession or got fouled running it again here
29:17This is why I was talking about more like that prototypical power forward areas to operate to utilize his size
29:23and his passing as well
29:25But that time turns it over. Oh, what a block but a foul. Hardaway took a shot
29:30Spencer Jones with a steal and a great pass and Hardaway shaken up
29:39Well legs was talking about just a tough spot right there for that pass it
29:45We can't see that angle if he got hit the face, but I like this point that point by LeBron
29:50James till off
29:51Tells often to take the ball, and I'm gonna catch up to this block
29:57Looks like a little bit of shove in the back there apparently you got hit the face a little bit
30:06Hardaway knocks that one down how she wore it is gonna come back in leg
30:09So when you talk about a wind-up and then a hit above the head is that again?
30:15I'm not into the reviews
30:16But that seems like something that should be classified by the letter of the law that you were talking about
30:21earlier
30:21I don't think it's as much of a wind-up on that play as we typically see when you know
30:25that immediately everybody wants a challenge
30:28That was somebody clearly going for the ball on the block, but there's no doubt he hit him on the
30:32follow-through across the face
30:33I don't know that's necessarily something you're gonna go take a look at what were you doing with your eyes?
30:38What well, it's really talk. Can you just act normal on camera? I'd never connect
30:43Hey, missus gets it back
30:46Take it away good defense that time with Cam Johnson
30:52The turnovers have been critical early on Johnson drives inside
30:56awkward shot Lakers push
31:00James sees an opening goes all the way down the lane lefty laugh is girl LeBron James with 11 points
31:05and a 16-point Laker lead
31:07Well, he's gonna play in different spots
31:09Maybe offensively in a half court, but what a luxury still in the open floor to be able to hit
31:14him in the middle
31:14You know he's gonna make a great decision at the end of that Brown and Murray play catch Murray aggressive
31:20sees a double-team
31:21That pass somehow gets to Jones far away three-pointer that won't go rebound Jones and falls down
31:32Reeves throws it into Aiton and Aiton is fouled shot won't go
31:37Well, the Lakers right now a well-oiled offensive machine
31:41Yes, but my I think that offense is a lot of that started because of their defense their
31:47Rotations their communication it's leading to turnovers to cleaning up the glass and helping them get out there and get
31:53easy buckets
31:55Damn Johnson picking up his second eight and so far
31:58Three rebounds has only taken one shot as we look at our upcoming
32:02National TV schedule ESPN tight the red-hot Clippers hosting Sacramento ABC Sunday tomorrow
32:09Oklahoma City hosting Minnesota NBA TV Sunday Dallas and Cleveland and
32:15NBC Peacock on Sunday the Warriors and the Knicks from New York Jokic back in the game
32:22Hardaway not happy with
32:25Recall or a non-call as he sits down
32:28And this is the largest lead of the first half and right now it's gonna be about Denver's half-court
32:32offense
32:33You've got to execute make the Lakers take the ball to the net between the turnovers missed opportunities at the
32:38rim
32:38Some missed open threes the Lakers have played with such a purpose in their early offense with Denver back on
32:44their heels trying to slow them down
32:45Jokic Johnson quick catch and shoot can't get it before Aaron Gordon back in grabs the offensive rebound Johnson. No
32:52hesitation
32:53Misses again all the way back out Jokic Jokic tries a three-pointer. That's no good. They're now four for
32:5917 from three
33:03Denver on the season and number one and three points percentage
33:07But down near the bottom and three-point attempts per game
33:13Nothing going down early Dodgers against Johnson floats it up shot misses eight offensive rebound Dodgers
33:22Hachimura
33:26Don't get your head to Johnson even though Johnson's missed some David animal wants him to stay aggressive
33:33Pass inside kicked
33:38That will be a side out
33:41Miss David Allen force the son of a terrific coach Rick Adamann
33:45He's done such a great job took over late last year three games left in the regular season
33:51You can tell he is a son of a coach. Yeah, he has that energy. This is approach his IQ
33:56I had him as an assistant coach my last year in Denver. I am not surprised. He got the job
34:01the opportunity
34:02Always well-prepared well liked by the guys and just I think he brought a fresh voice to this Denver
34:07nothing log room
34:08He was on Michael Malone staff when they won the championship in 2023 cam Johnson corner three gets one ago
34:14He needed that and the Nuggets needed that. Yeah, it's important right there for him to knock that down
34:19He had a couple of clean looks two trips ago
34:22Great ball movement reversal and no hesitation on the part of cam Johnson
34:26Reeves sweet crossover floats that one up well defended by Johnson
34:31Muggets have some numbers this way Murray gets inside beats Brown gathers backs it home nice fast break from Denver
34:38timeout in LA
34:45Well, the lakers
34:46Have been cooking from that three-point line the entire half. Denver's gonna have to match it with some firepower
34:52You do it through ball movement cam Johnson ready to let it fly
34:58NBA Saturday primetime on ABC is presented by Wingstop made to order always fresh order at wingstop.com and lock
35:06in your flavor
35:09NBA doubleheader Celtics host the Warriors 7 Eastern and the Lakers in Houston against the Rockets NBA countdown crew tips
35:16off the coverage
35:17At 630 here tonight crypto.com arena Bengals quarterback Joe borrow very serious about his
35:25basketball
35:26Jason Sudeikis who's a huge huge basketball fan
35:31And there is comedy royalty right there the great eddie murphy legend
35:37You know you know you're on a special place is when the other comedians all review oh when he walks
35:43it
35:43I've been this is the second time i've been in the building with him all eyes go to him
35:47We freaked out when i saw he was four people over
35:49We'll be in the building with him
35:51Jackson hayes hachimura donchich smart
35:55And canard out there right now for the lakers like it's still shooting 53 percent from the field
36:004-24 donchich whips a pass stolen by ilkits great anticipation
36:06Jokic ahead christian brown throws it down and it's back to 10 nice answer from the nuggets great anticipation by
36:12jokic
36:13But also that's not that often that you see luka trying to throw that cross court pass over a center
36:19It's typically a guard on that rotation. He could not get it over the head of jokic who leads their
36:24break smart fakes
36:26Smart little floaters up and good marcus smart in double figures here in the first half
36:32Big part of course of the defensive transformation for the lakers but getting it done at the other end
36:45Jamal murray trying to create some space good defense hachimura yokic kicks it out gordon corner three puts it in
36:53All things considered with the turnovers with the hot shooting for the lakers with murray one of seven
37:00David alman can't be too upset being only down nine. No, he can't and don't forget
37:04They just came back from down 20 on the road in san antonio
37:08There was no wimpy, but this is a team that's going to keep playing for 48 minutes and then he
37:12does that dotchich
37:14Throws it another 315 first half points for luka dotchich. It's back to a dozen
37:22Nine three-pointers in the first half for the lakers
37:27There's a double on jokic
37:29Brown swings at johnson wide open look can't get of the fall smart to flex it and here comes dodgy
37:35again as we're under three minutes to go
37:38second quarter here in la
37:40Dodgy rises up can't get it
37:43Battle for the rebound the volleyball player in yoga gets that one
37:51ground
37:54Six of 21 from three
37:57More than half their shots of the three-pointers which is not like the nuggets and might I think with
38:01the exception of just a few
38:03Most of these have been clean looks they just have not been able to shoot a high enough percentage based
38:08on
38:08How open these guys have been or you might have a one possession game right now, but they just shot
38:14it better nice
38:15Find that time for luke canard saw the mismatch with hayes and threw it up just high enough
38:23A foul before the shot
38:26It's only the second team foul on the lakers and when we talk about luke canard connecting their offense look
38:31they close out on him
38:33He's able to drive and then make a good read and a play for one of his teammates
38:37You talk so much about his three-point percentage and space in the floor
38:41These are things that he does that sometimes don't always show up in the stat sheet
38:45Just keeping the play moving and that's a tough place to execute a switch like that deep in the lane
38:50You saw jamal more sort of hand him off jokic takes it, but at that point you've got a seal
38:55on the back side
38:57Easy lob conversion gordon guarded by james
39:01Jokic trying to get position here comes the double team again every time he touches it murray off the bounce
39:07Tough shot from murray. That's short dot. It's another rebound quickly throws it ahead to james for the dunk
39:14Great look ahead from luka dot church for his seventh assist
39:18And a lead right back up to 16
39:20And that's triggered by these aggressive traps on jokic
39:23They're sending that guy along the baseline side to get it out of his hands immediately
39:28Forcing other guys to beat them. They can't convert lakers get numbers again and a foul that shot won't count
39:36Yeah, I mean they're coming with these early blitzes austin reeves is just waiting outside the lane
39:40And now you've got to make teams pay for being that aggressive and overloading on jokic
39:45And as I said earlier in the game they throw this pass better than any team in the league because
39:51they've got multiple guys
39:52That could precisely put it on target
39:55Well donchich and james two of the great passers
39:59In all of basketball that last out was on reeves. That's his second
40:03You
Comments