Western Conference Finals - Game 4 Recap

Los Angeles Lakers 101
Denver Nuggets 120
Series Tied 2-2

When one team in a game is able to get into the paint as attack the rim as often as the Denver Nuggets did Monday night, while the other is content swinging the ball and taking jumpers, it's only a matter of time before the aggressor blows it open and pulls away. The Lakers did enough to stay within earshot of the Nuggets, but unlike Games 1 and 3, they were never really close enough for Kobe to assume his "closer" role.

The Nuggets were stuffing the paint on both ends, attacking on offense and collapsing on defense. Their D made it down right murderous for Kobe to get into the lane and attack and the fact that his teammates were off from the perimeter did nothing to help open it up as the game progressed. More and more, this is turning into the Kobe-and-Pau show for the Lakers, who are clearly at their best when their offense is well-rounded and the big 2 get help. Some nights (like Game 3) the shear greatness of two premier offensive talents is enough. But more often than not, those two will not be able to do it alone.

Denver kept the pressure up on offense despite a poor night from an ineffective/sick Carmelo Anthony. The Nuggets absolutely dominated on the boards on both ends, grabbing 18 more rebounds than LA, including a 20-9 edge on the offensive glass. The Nuggets played an excellent, well-rounded game. In addition to the aforementioned rebound advantage, they also had an 18-point edge on point in the paint, a 42-24 advantage off the bench, outscored the Lakers by 10 on the fast break and only committed 6 turnovers in the game. All in all I think this game was even more impressive than their 58-point drubbing of the Hornets in Round 1, which is saying something.

The trick will be going to LA and beating a Lakers team that knows they got the win in Denver they needed to be able to win this series at home. Obviously, this is a Laker team with, as Phil Jackson put it, a little "Jekyll and Hyde" in them. But it's a huge confidence boost to know that they have the home court advantage in what's now become a 3 game series. But Denver has proven it can win at Staples once in this series, so let's see who comes out the aggressor in Game 5 on Wednesday.