NBA playoff matchup, Los Angeles Lakers meet the Nuggets again, last year's playoffs, the Lakers were swept out by the Nuggets 4-0, this year's playoffs, many NBA experts and reporters are unanimously optimistic that the defending champion Nuggets will beat the Lakers again. However, the likes of James, Bushy Eyebrows and Russell are not admitting defeat, and they are eager to win at least one or two games against the Nuggets. The most predicted score by NBA expert reporters in the American media, the Nuggets eliminated the Lakers 4-1, and the Lakers eliminated the Nuggets. 44+9!29+12!The whole league was questioned, he changed his life against the sky, and the Lakers beat the Nuggets before they were ashamed.
Although James is 39 years old, he averaged 25.7 points + 7.3 rebounds + 8.3 assists + 1.3 steals per game this season, shooting 54% from the field and 41% from three-point range. James maintains his peak strength, and he is ready to make another push in the playoffs and challenge for the championship with the thick eyebrows. Brother Thick Eyebrows' attendance rate this season is as high as 92.8% (a career high), and Brother Thick Eyebrows averages 24.8 points + 12.6 rebounds (third in the league) + 3.5 assists + 1.2 steals + 2.3 blocks (third in the league) per game.
American media NBA reporters reported that the biggest X factor for the Los Angeles Lakers is Russell, because Russell played the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals last year: he averaged only 6.3 points + 3.5 assists per game, and his shooting rate was only 32%, and his three-point shooting rate was only 13% (the data and efficiency were very bad). In the playoffs last year, Russell played really poorly, both offensively and defensively, so Russell was criticized and questioned, and fans across the league were doubting Russell's strength. However, some fans believe that Russell's regular season broke out this year, and he can't be worse than last year's Western Conference finals, and if Russell explodes in the playoffs, the Lakers really have a chance to beat the Nuggets.
This season, Russell played in 76 games, averaging 18.0 points + 3.1 rebounds + 6.3 assists + 1.0 steals per game, shooting 46% from the field and 41.5% from three-point range. Russell has played well this season, especially in the middle of the season, when Russell broke out in a frenzy against various trade rumors to help the Lakers win. For example, when the Lakers and the Bucks played each other, Russell blasted 44 points + 6 rebounds + 9 assists + 1 steal to lead the team to defeat the opponent (James Mei was absent). The Lakers and the Bucks played again, Russell slashed 29 points + 7 rebounds + 12 assists + 2 steals + 2 blocks, Reaves scored 29 points + 14 rebounds + 10 assists + 2 blocks in the same game, and the Lakers defeated the Bucks again.
Many people have questioned the strength of Russell and Reaves, but the two of them have really played well this season, and their ability to play tough games has improved significantly, for example, the Lakers beat the Green Army, the Lakers beat the Bucks, and Russell and Reaves are the most important contributors. NBA reporters reported that this season, Russell scored 5+ three-pointers in a single game, and the Lakers had a 17-1 record, which shows that Russell broke out into a good game, and the Lakers' winning rate has increased significantly. This season, Russell has 400+ assists and 200+ three-pointers in a single season with a three-point shooting rate of at least 40%, the fourth in NBA history.
In the play-off game between the Lakers and the Pelicans, Russell and Reaves played very well, and at the last critical moment, Russell scored a key three-pointer to win the victory, showing the strength of the big heart. Russell is eager to change his life against the sky, and he can also break out wildly against the Nuggets. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said Russell has helped us a lot and hopes he plays like the playoffs when he plays the Nuggets. Many fans believe that if Russell and Reaves can keep the playoff form by playing the Nuggets, then the Lakers have a chance to beat the defending champion Nuggets.