Lakers vs Nuggets: Are LeBron and team ready for tougher challenges after their hard-fought win against Denver?
The Los Angeles Lakers are back to winning. In case of August 10, Monday's narrow 124-121 against the Denver Nuggets, they may have edged their rivals out by a slender margin, however that still casts doubt over their gameplay throughout the season so far. It is safe to call the Lakers a starkly different unit as they seemed to look worn out. Barring Anthony Davis who has been their lone star, the rest seem tad off-color and with the playoffs looming large, it's high time their game faces are on.
The Lakers owe a debt of thanks to Kyle Kuzma who slammed the winning shot and that too in the nick of time. He was one of the bright spots for the Lakers on Monday, he scored 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Add to this the three-pointer he sunk with 0.4 seconds to spare. Ideally, this was a game the Lakers would have wrapped up sooner and comfortably had they chipped in with a solid strategy, but credit to the Nuggets as they posed a stiff challenge.
The win, no doubt comes as a morale-booster for LeBron & Co as they were termed to have the worst offense compared to other teams. Not that the problem has been solved. Danny Green's slump is still a cause of concern and there have been voices calling out to bench him and look at other options. Agreeing with fans' opinions of Kuzma being the savior was Mike Trudell, the beat reporter for the Lakers. His tweet read: "Fitting for @kylekuzma here, as he’s been the clear bright spot of the Bubble."
Fitting for @kylekuzma here, as he’s been the clear bright spot of the Bubble.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) August 11, 2020
And fans were in agreement. "That's it! He has arrived! This is validation! He is the 3rd guy now! Over the biggest Player in the league! Playing how he was! That's it! Kuz is that dude," wrote one of the fans in response to Trudell's tweet.
That's it! He has arrived! This is validation! He is the 3rd guy now! Over the biggest Player in the league! Playing how he was! That's it! Kuz is that dude
— Steven (@Truth_CALI323) August 11, 2020
Kuzma aside, it almost looked like anybody's game till the final moment and that is something that still might worry Lakers fans. A win became a possibility only when they snatched the lead courtesy a lay-up by LeBron and the foul that took the scoreline to a 121-119 lead with 45 seconds left in the game. While the team isn't new to closing out heart-in-the-mouth games, the recent form might be a worry as they prepare for tougher challenges. Up next, they face the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, August 13, but for now, they will breathe easy after this win.