One positive development for Denver’s defense in the bubble has been the improvement in defending at the rim. Los Angeles ranks second in frequency of shots coming at the rim and first in field-goal percentage from that area of the floor, converting 68.8 percent of such shots this season.An offense led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis will typically produce impressive finishing around the basket, which spells trouble for Denver’s defense.

No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. All rights reserved. Although the Nuggets have missed several key starters in each of the five seeding games they have played, they still sit in the third spot in the Western Conference standings, heading into the stretch run.After a come-from-behind, double-overtime victory against the Utah Jazz Saturday, Denver (46-24) now prepares to face both LA teams to begin the upcoming week. it will apply to data controlled jointly by the NBA and WarnerMedia as well as other data controlled by WarnerMedia. Privacy Act, please use the links below to visit each company’s privacy center. If you make a request through Although the Nuggets have missed several key starters in …

No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. Privacy Act, please use the links below to visit each company’s privacy center. If one were to ask Nuggets head coach Michael Malone what the main issue plaguing his team is at the moment, he would almost certainly point to the team’s struggles defending the 3-point line.Across five seeding games, 38.3 percent of opponent shot attempts have come from beyond the arc, connecting at a 45.1 percent clip, dead last among bubble teams. Copyright © 2020 NBA Media Ventures, LLC. This site is operated jointly by NBA and WarnerMedia. Copyright © 2020 NBA Media Ventures, LLC.

For reference, the league average has been 65.3 percent. The Lakers rank sixth in frequency of shots coming from the corners and have shot 40.6 percent, good for ninth in the league. Monday’s matchup with the Lakers presents a good opportunity to work on defensive rotations, communication and closeouts. Check out some of the BEST PLAYS from the 2019-2020 NBA Season so far! If you make a request through The restart of the 2019-20 season has been a unique and memorable experience for the Denver Nuggets. To opt out of the sale of your personal information as permitted by the California Consumer Jamal Murray’s return to the lineup was the story of Saturday’s game, as the 23-year-old immediately made his presence felt with a career-high 12 rebounds and several clutch shots down the stretch of the fourth quarter and overtime periods.Nikola Jokić (30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists) and Michael Porter Jr. (23 points and 11 rebounds) maintained their high level of play in Saturday’s victory, giving fans a glimpse into what the future could hold with all three playing together. In three games against Los Angeles this season, Millsap has averaged 17.3 points per game on 54.5 percent shooting from the field, including 75 percent from beyond the arc. The Lakers won two of the three meetings between these two teams before the league’s suspension of play in March.The Lakers’ offense thrives on getting to the basket and finishing at a high level. it will apply to data controlled jointly by the NBA and WarnerMedia as well as other data controlled by WarnerMedia. This site is operated jointly by NBA and WarnerMedia. the NBA Privacy Center, it will apply to data controlled independently by the NBA. With a 97.9 offensive rating, the Lakers have had the worst offense among the 22 teams in the bubble by a wide margin (the Raptors hold the 21st spot in offensive rating at 102.4). Nearly 36 percent of opponents’ shot attempts have come at the rim against the Nuggets this season, ranking 18th in the league. Although the Lakers don’t rely on the 3-pointer to fuel their offense (ranking 22nd in attempts per game from deep), Los Angeles does thrive on finding corner shooters and converting those shots. In the four games Millsap has played in the bubble, the 35-year-old has averaged just 8.5 points per game on 40 percent shooting from the field.Malone and the Nuggets have been focused on managing Millsap’s minutes and usage, as evidenced by him resting on the second night of a back-to-back last week.