Part 2/6:
A Dominant Display in LA
The Nuggets entered the Staples Center after a disappointing loss to the Mavericks, looking to reclaim their swagger against a Lakers team eager to avenge past humiliations. The Lakers were heavy favorites but were swiftly reminded why the Nuggets hold a unique superiority over them. In a surprising turn of events, the Nuggets crushed the Lakers with an impressive 127-102 victory.
The narrative surrounding this matchup was rich with history. The Nuggets had previously swept the Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, a series where the Lakers often held late leads only to falter, largely due to LeBron James' uncharacteristic failures in clutch moments. This humiliation remained fresh in the minds of both teams and fans alike.