In the Western Conference finals last season, the Nuggets swept the Lakers 4:0 to advance to the finals, and defeated the Heat in the finals to win the first championship in team history.
This season's regular season, Nuggets played against the Lakers three times, and the Nuggets still won without exception. The Lakers seemed to have no power to fight back against the Nuggets.
However, Nuggets leader Nikola Jokic was extremely cautious in a recent interview. He said that past records could not explain anything at all. Although he swept the Lakers last season, every game was actually very difficult.
Jokic said, don’t mention the sweep of them last year. It was not that easy to win last year. The strength of the Lakers was seriously underestimated. I don’t think there is an obvious advantage in this year’s showdown (meaning both sides are evenly matched). The outcome is unpredictable this time, and both sides are likely to win the series.
At 8:30 on April 21, the Nuggets will face the Lakers at home to start the first game of this season's series.
The reason why Teacher Yue is so cautious must be because he remembered the past when the Lakers "Black Seven" defeated the Grizzlies and then won the defending champion Warriors last season. Now the Lakers are coming in force, and they are seventh in the Western Conference. James and the double-core are in good condition. Considering that James's historical breakthrough is still unsolved, it may not be easy for the Nuggets to easily take advantage of the Lakers, and it has been so long. Yes, James must have found a way to deal with the Nuggets. Teacher Yue and coach Malone are worried about this, and some even think they are trembling!
Jokic also said: James is a monster, he can score anywhere on the court. Last season against the Lakers was probably the hardest series we had ever played. They are a really talented team and I have the utmost respect for them.
Nuggets coach Malone was also very cautious. He said: Everyone is saying that we swept them last year and maintained a complete victory over them this season. But I told my players today that this does not mean anything. The Lakers are now It’s a different team and we are not sure of winning!
We are also playing in a different series (now both sides are on the same starting line). It will be a big challenge to beat the Lakers this time.
This is really a strange phenomenon that has never happened in the NBA's 75-year history. From last season's Western Conference finals to now, in seven games, I beat my opponent 7:0, but I am still trembling with fear!
On the Lakers side, James, the boss, made a high-profile statement, saying that they are not afraid of any opponents. The current situation is completely different from last season.
It makes sense. Last season, the Lakers defeated two consecutive series. They won an away game in the first game, then strategically gave up the second game, returned to the home court, and then tried their best to win two home games. In the end, Successfully harvested the series victory.
However, Lao Zhan is almost a 40-year-old veteran. After two consecutive high-intensity confrontations in the series, he was already at the end of his strength when facing the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. In the end, he lost to the physical strength of the Nuggets and Lao James and the years of hard work. Injuries are not irrelevant.
Now that the Lakers are strong and strong, they have accumulated a large number of defenders this season to deal with Murray, who broke out last season. James is recharging his strength. Of course, the Nuggets will not be able to win the Lakers so easily. What will be the final result of
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