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On Monday, the LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets lock horns in Game 2 of their 2024 NBA Playoffs first-round series. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead after winning Game 1 114-103, rallying from a 12-point deficit in the second quarter. The Nuggets outplayed the Lakers the rest of the way with excellent execution on both ends.
The Lakers, meanwhile, oddly got away from what worked in the first half. They stopped running plays and played catch-up for much of the second half, looking clueless against Denver's go-to schemes.
The Lakers were hung up on not making too many adjustments, which led to their ninth straight loss against the defending champs.
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LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Injury Reports
LA Lakers injury report
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The Lakers have listed LeBron James and Anthony Davis as probable. Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Jarred Vanderbilt are out.
Denver Nuggets injury report
Vlatko Cancar is out for the Nuggets.
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Starting Lineups and Depth Charts for Game 2
LA Lakers starting lineup and depth chart
The Lakers will start D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Anthony Davis. Spencer Dinwiddie, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes and Taurean Prince could be the most used players off the bench.
Denver Nuggets starting lineup and depth chart
The Nuggets will start Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic. Reggie Jackson, Peyton Watson and Christian Braun will play the most minutes off the bench.
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets key matchups
The Lakers did a solid job in a few player duels, but they must do that consistently to make this a close battle. Anthony Davis guarded Nikola Jokic in brief stretches in Game 1, holding him to 2-of-10 shooting. However, Rui Hachimura was the primary defender of Jokic. That assignment should be given to AD in this contest.
Another battle is between Jamal Murray and Austin Reaves. The latter did a solid job of limiting Murray to 22 points on 37.5% shooting in Game 1. That must repeat for the Lakers to gain a significant advantage in Monday's game.
Meanwhile, D'Angelo Russell's matchup against Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went in the latter's favor. KCP dominated the Lakers point guard on both ends of the floor, making 4-of-10 3s and limiting D'Lo to 6-of-20 shooting. Russell's off game offensively was one of the biggest reasons behind LA's loss.
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