The Lakers opened the Western Conference Finals with a loss against the Nuggets in Denver (126-132). The Purple and Gold allowed 72 points by their opponents in the first half while scoring 54 themselves.
Los Angeles was unable to win despite Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Austin Reaves combining for 89 points. According to James, the Lakers took too long to enter the game.
“It took us a half to enter the game. That was pretty much the ball game right there,” James said after the game. “We got to understand that we got to start from the tip-off. They punched us in the mouth to start.
“I think thy had more offensive rebounds than we had total rebounds in the first half. That led to them getting second-chance points. They also got on the fast break and killed us in a fast break in the first half. It as 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
“I know the game is won in 48 minutes but they set the tone in 24 minutes and we were playing catch up for the next 24.”
