Fansided

3 adjustments the Lakers need to make for Game 2 against the Nuggets

By Nicholas Chiarito

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game four of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game four of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Rui Hachimura
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 22: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his three pointer against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1. Start Rui Hachimura

The Lakers starting lineup was 6-foot-1 Dennis Schroder, 6-foot-4 D’Angelo Russell, 6-foot-5 Austin Reaves, 6-foot-9 LeBron James, and 6-foot-10 Anthony Davis. The Nuggets starting lineup was 6-foot-4 Jamal Murray, 6-foot-5 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 6-foot-10 Michael Porter Jr., 6-foot-8 Aaron Gordon, and 7-foot Nikola Jokic.

The Lakers lineup was simply too small and it showed as MPJ would rise over Austin Reaves for easy jumpers. It also showed on the boards as the Nuggets outrebounded the Lakers 36-13 in the first half and 47-30 in the game.

The Lakers pushed another button in the fourth quarter again, closing the game with Rui Hachimura. Hachimura was the primary defender on Jokic, holding him to 0-for-2 from the field and just two rebounds. The Lakers outrebounded the Nuggets 10-8 in the fourth quarter and outscored them 34-26.

Inserting Hachimura would do wonders for the Lakers defensively. He adds length to the starting lineup to help out with rebounding and guarding one of the Nuggets’ frontcourt players, and, most importantly, he allows Anthony Davis to roam free off the ball and impact Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets as a help defender.

Hachimura would also do wonders for the Lakers offensively as the Nuggets could not stop him, LeBron, or AD from getting what they want. Hachimura would also add floor spacing as Rui is shooting 54.8 percent from 3 in these playoffs.

The Lakers should be highly encouraged by what they saw from this Game 1 comeback, clawing and fighting back with every gut-wrenching punch the Nuggets threw at them. If the Lakers make these three adjustments it could lead to a Game 2 victory and the series tied 1-1 going back to L.A.

Next. Every NBA team's all-time starting lineup. dark

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