⏱️How it unfolded
The score against the pace we expected, quarter by quarter.
The score, against the pace we expected
The Lakers fell 8 points behind the pace we expected in the first quarter, then it evened out by full time.
Where it moved
▲ LAL better than we expected
▼ DEN better than we expected
The second quarter was where it moved most, 9 points better than our numbers for the Lakers.
⚖️What decided it
Why the Lakers won, and why the Nuggets did not.
From the game
Won the second chances, seventeen offensive rebounds to seven- Could not get to the line, 24 free throws to their 35
Key battles
🏀Good plays, bad plays
The plays that went each side's way, and the ones each side did to itself.
Lakers
Good plays
- 9-0 run
A 9-0 run took them from 5 down to 4 up
Q3 6:33 · LAL 70-66 DEN
- Go-ahead
Derek Fisher hit a 24-foot three jumper, Kobe Bryant with the assist
Q4 2:30 · LAL 97-96 DEN
- Winner
Kobe Bryant hit a free throw 1 of 2
Q4 0:30 · LAL 100-99 DEN
Bad plays
- Turnover
Kobe Bryant lost ball
Q4 3:41 · LAL 92-94 DEN
- Missed FT
Pau Gasol misses free throw 1 of 2
Q4 1:53 · LAL 97-96 DEN
- Missed FT
Pau Gasol misses free throw 2 of 2
Q4 1:53 · LAL 97-96 DEN
Nuggets
Good plays
- Go-ahead
Chauncey Billups hit a 27-foot three jumper
Q4 1:38 · LAL 97-99 DEN
Bad plays
- Turnover
Carmelo Anthony offensive foul (Pau Gasol draws the foul)
Q4 2:06 · LAL 97-96 DEN
- Turnover
Carmelo Anthony turnover
Q4 2:06 · LAL 97-96 DEN
- Turnover
Anthony Carter bad pass
Q4 0:29 · LAL 101-99 DEN
📊The numbers
| LAL | DEN | |
|---|---|---|
| 41% | Shooting from the field | 49% |
| 11 | Threes made | 8 |
| 44% | Three-point accuracy | 42% |
| 20 | Free throws made | 23 |
| 54 | Rebounds | 53 |
| 17 | Offensive rebounds | 7 |
| 25 | Assists | 24 |
| 40 | Points in the paint | 46 |
| 7 | Fast break points | 7 |
| 12 | Points off turnovers | 17 |
| 16 | Turnovers | 15 |
| 7 | Steals | 9 |
| 9 | Blocks | 8 |
