Kyle Kuzma has been one of the couple of motivating stories for the Lakers inside of the Disney bubble, and he simply gave them their greatest lift. The Nuggets, on the other hand, can hold their head up high after their backups went toe-to-toe with the Lakers for the entire 4th quarter. The Nuggets remain almost assured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Lakers have actually long given that clinched No. 1. After 3 seasons worth of teases, trade rumors and premature crownings, Kyle Kuzma is finally growing into the sort of player the Lakers need him to be. The Lakers have actually been outscored in his minutes in all 6 bubble video games he has played in.
“I think Jesus could be in front of me and I d probably still shoot,” Kuzma said after the game. He isnt going to keep shooting this well from behind the arc. Kuzma is finally playing defense.
It would be premature to call Kuzma the 3rd Lakers “star.” A star is someone who can prosper in any setting. Rather, he is the ideal third wheel, somebody who has found out to harmonize the group as constructed and produce in whatever methods he can to supplement James and Anthony Davis. If this is who Kuzma is going to be in the playoffs, the Lakers should feel a lot more optimistic about their championship hopes than they did two weeks back..
2. Frank Vogel is finally settling on a rotation.
The Lakers have utilized practically everybody in Orlando. They played 13 gamers versus the Oklahoma City Thunder last week. Season-long benchwarmers Jared Dudley and Quinn Cook have actually been given real chances to earn minutes. J.R. Smith was also. Even novice Talen Horton-Tucker has seen real run in these seeding games. It made good sense from the viewpoint that the Lakers had actually currently locked up their No. 1 seed, and didnt require to run their finest players into the ground, however it likewise made it hard for those essential pieces to establish any rhythm..
Kuzma moved into the beginning lineup to change Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and after the method he played, he probably isnt leaving it. Dion Waiters was the option to change Alex Caruso when he got injured in crunchtime, suggesting Vogel has settled on him as his 4th guard. The Lakers have actually been outscored in his minutes in all six bubble games he has actually played in.
3. Denver doesnt have to stress over Porter Jr. fitting in with their starters.
No, the Nuggets didnt have Gary Harris or Will Barton Monday, but they have to be encouraged by the sharing Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray did. There was no squabbling over shots. The two combined to shoot 12-of-16 from the field, both feeding off of Nikola Jokics superb death. Porter, a shot-creator in his own right, discovered his shots completely in the circulation of the offense. That he can produce for himself more is going to be important in the playoffs, but tonight was more evidence that he can coexist with Denvers genuine starters, and that he wont be going back to the bench any time quickly..
Kyle Kuzma has actually been one of the few motivating stories for the Lakers inside of the Disney bubble, and he just provided them their greatest lift. Not just did he score 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting, but he struck the game-winning 3-pointer with only 0.4 seconds remaining in a 124-121 triumph over the Denver Nuggets. While the Lakers didnt have anything to gain by winning the game itself, the win was a big ethical triumph for a team that had actually started 2-4 in the bubble with the worst offense of any of the 22 invited teams..
The Nuggets, on the other hand, can hold their head up high after their backups went toe-to-toe with the Lakers for the entire 4th quarter. The Nuggets stay nearly ensured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Lakers have long given that clinched No. 1.
1. Kyle Kuzma is making the leap.
Its finally taking place. After 3 seasons worth of teases, trade reports and early crownings, Kyle Kuzma is lastly turning into the sort of gamer the Lakers need him to be. Kuzma had been balancing 13.8 points on 41.9 shooting from behind the arc in Disney while playing the very best defense of his life, however he took it to another level on Monday. He roasted the Nuggets for 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting, culminating with this gem of a game-winner..
