Watching Game 4 of the Lakers-Nuggets playoff series felt like witnessing a heavyweight boxing match where both fighters had their moments, but only one truly knew how to finish. I've been covering the NBA for over a decade, and what struck me most about this game wasn't just the final score, but how Denver managed to weather the storm after Los Angeles' second-half surge. It reminded me of that volleyball match I once analyzed where after a second-set hiccup, one team punished their opponents with a lead that ballooned to as many as 13 points before regaining control to finish in four sets. That's exactly what the Nuggets did - they absorbed the Lakers' best punches, then systematically dismantled them when it mattered most.
The first half was a masterclass in controlled aggression from Denver. They came out with an intensity that I haven't seen since their championship run last season. Jamal Murray was absolutely surgical in the pick-and-roll, scoring 18 of his 32 points in the first two quarters alone. What impressed me wasn't just his scoring - it was his decision-making. He recognized every defensive coverage the Lakers threw at him and made the right read nearly every time. The Nuggets built a 15-point lead by halftime, and honestly, it felt like the game might be over right there. But having watched LeBron James throughout his career, I knew better than to count him out.
Then came what I call the "second-set hiccup" moment for Denver - that period where championship teams face adversity and reveal their true character. The Lakers opened the third quarter with a 22-9 run, cutting the lead to just 2 points with 4:32 remaining. Anthony Davis was absolutely dominant during this stretch, scoring 14 points in the quarter while completely controlling the paint. The energy in the building shifted dramatically, and you could feel the momentum swinging. This is where many teams would have folded, but Denver's response was what separated them.
The turning point came with 3:18 left in the third quarter. LeBron had just hit a three-pointer to bring the Lakers within one, and the crowd was going insane. But what happened next was pure basketball poetry. Nikola Jokic, who had been relatively quiet offensively, demanded the ball in the post. He drew a double-team and found Aaron Gordon cutting baseline for an and-one dunk. That single play changed everything. It stopped the Lakers' momentum dead in its tracks and reminded everyone why Jokic might be the best passing big man in NBA history.
What followed was a demonstration of championship composure that you simply can't teach. The Nuggets didn't just respond to the Lakers' run - they systematically dismantled their defense through ball movement and player movement that was beautiful to watch. Over the next six minutes of game time, Denver went on a 21-8 run that essentially put the game away. They did it with contributions from everyone - Michael Porter Jr. hit two crucial threes, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played stellar defense on D'Angelo Russell, and Christian Braun provided energy off the bench that the Lakers simply couldn't match.
The numbers during this decisive stretch were staggering. Denver shot 72% from the field and 57% from three-point range during their game-clinching run. More importantly, they assisted on 8 of their 9 made field goals, demonstrating the ball movement that has become their trademark. Meanwhile, the Lakers' offense became stagnant - they settled for contested jumpers and committed 4 turnovers during this period. As someone who's studied championship teams, this is exactly what separates good teams from great ones. The ability to regain control and finish strong when your opponent is making their push.
Jokic finished with another triple-double - 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists - but what doesn't show up in the box score is how he controlled the tempo when the game was on the line. There were multiple possessions where he'd get the rebound and immediately push the pace, catching the Lakers' defense before it was set. His basketball IQ is just on another level. I've been critical of his defense in the past, but tonight he was engaged and effective, particularly in the fourth quarter when it mattered most.
LeBron finished with 30 points and 11 assists, but he looked exhausted down the stretch. At 39 years old, it's remarkable what he's still able to do, but tonight we saw the limitations of asking him to carry such a heavy load. Anthony Davis had 28 points and 15 rebounds, but he faded in the fourth quarter, scoring only 4 points. The Lakers' role players simply didn't provide enough support - Austin Reaves was solid with 18 points, but D'Angelo Russell's 3-for-12 shooting performance hurt them significantly.
Looking at the bigger picture, this game demonstrated why Denver remains the team to beat in the West. Their continuity, chemistry, and composure under pressure are championship-caliber. The Lakers had their chances, but like that volleyball match I referenced earlier, Denver responded to adversity by elevating their game rather than folding. They regained control and finished strong, proving that last year's championship was no fluke.
As we look ahead to the rest of the series, the Lakers face what feels like an insurmountable challenge. No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 deficit, and while stranger things have happened in sports, Denver just looks like the better team. Their ability to withstand the Lakers' best punch and respond with a knockout blow of their own shows the mental toughness of this group. Unless the Lakers can find consistent production beyond LeBron and AD, this series might be over sooner rather than later.