Game ID: 22300869
Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 33 33 23 25 114DEN 27 31 31 35 124
DEN @ LAL ScoutingDEN @ LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 2/23 · back-to-backOUT James missed 2 since 2/14, returns tonight: 34 min (96% of 36)
OUT Reddish missed 12 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 7 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 29 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 29 min since (204% of 14)
NEW Hachimura 27 to 34 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 13 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 8 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 30 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 34 min since (96% of 36)
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 21 min since (149% of 14)
NEW Hachimura 27 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 2/28 · 2 days' restOUT Reddish missed 14 since 1/25, returns tonight: 20 min (96% of 20)
OUT Vanderbilt missed 9 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 31 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 3 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 36 min since (100% of 36)
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 16 min since (112% of 14)
LAL availability going into 2/29 · back-to-backOUT Vanderbilt missed 10 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 32 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 4 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 36)
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 20 min since (96% of 20)
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 12 min since (84% of 14)
LAL availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 11 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 33 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 5 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 12 min since (58% of 20)
BACK Christie back 2/22 after 3, 11 min since (79% of 14)
LAL availability going into 3/04 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 12 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 34 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 6 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK James back 2/23 after 2, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 14 min since (69% of 20)
LAL availability going into 3/06 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 13 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 35 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 7 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 14 min since (68% of 20)
LAL availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 14 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 36 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 8 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 2/28 after 14, 14 min since (68% of 20)
LAL availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 15 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 37 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 9 since 2/22, out tonight
NEW Hachimura 27 to 33 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/23 · back-to-backOUT Jordan missed 2 since 2/14, out tonight
BACK Caldwell-Pope back 2/12 after 2, 13 min since (39% of 32)
BACK Strawther back 2/09 after 16, 10 min since (98% of 11)
NEW Holiday 15 to 26 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 3 since 2/14, out tonight
BACK Caldwell-Pope back 2/12 after 2, 19 min since (60% of 32)
BACK Strawther back 2/09 after 16, 8 min since (79% of 11)
NEW Holiday 15 to 23 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/28 · 2 days' restOUT Jordan missed 4 since 2/14, out tonight
BACK Caldwell-Pope back 2/12 after 2, 23 min since (72% of 32)
DEN availability going into 2/29 · back-to-backOUT Jordan missed 5 since 2/14, out tonight
DEN availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 6 since 2/14, out tonight
DEN availability going into 3/05 · 2 days' restOUT Jordan missed 7 since 2/14, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 2 since 2/29, out tonight
DEN availability going into 3/07 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 8 since 2/14, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 3 since 2/29, out tonight
DEN availability going into 3/09 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 9 since 2/14, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 4 since 2/29, returns tonight: 2 min (16% of 11)
DEN availability going into 3/11 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 10 since 2/14, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 3/09 after 4, 2 min since (16% of 11)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 122, shooting 52 percent and 37 from three, 16 free throws a game; James at 31 and Davis at 27 a game. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Vanderbilt (11 straight), Vincent (33 straight), Wood (5 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 104, shooting 52 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 23 and Porter Jr. at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 104 a night to the Lakers' 122 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-4 a night and the Lakers minus-4. Call it Denver 117, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.
2/23 vs SAS 123-118 — LAL notes
LAL won 123-118. LAL shot 52% (49 of 95) to SAS's 44%, 11 of 27 from three. James led with 30 (13 of 22, 2 of 3 from three); Davis added 28, Russell 22. The hinge was Q1, 30-26: from level to 4 ahead, and the lead reached 18. James was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
2/25 @ PHX 113-123 — LAL notes
LAL lost 113-123. LAL shot 52% (47 of 90) to PHX's 47%, 15 of 35 from three, and got to the line 8 times to PHX's 19. The glass went 34-51 against them. James led with 28 (12 of 19, 3 of 6 from three); Davis added 22, Russell 20. Q2 was theirs, 35-27, the deficit cut from 17 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 96-78 against them. Prince's -13 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/28 @ LAC 116-112 — LAL notes
LAL won 116-112. LAL shot 55% (47 of 86) to LAC's 51%, 14 of 36 from three, and got to the line 10 times to LAC's 16. James led with 34 (13 of 21, 7 of 12 from three); Davis added 20, Russell 18. The hinge was Q4, 39-16: LAL came in trailing by 19 and left it ahead by 4. LAL trailed 52-66 at the half and won the second half 64-46. James was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
2/29 vs WAS 134-131 — LAL notes
LAL won 134-131 in 1 overtime. LAL shot 52% (53 of 101) to WAS's 51%, 8 of 23 from three, and went to the line 24 times to WAS's 12 — 20 points from the stripe to their 10. A. Davis led with 40 (14 of 22, 12 of 13 at the line); James added 31, Russell 22. The hinge was Q2, 39-35: LAL came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 1.
3/02 vs DEN 114-124 — LAL notes
LAL lost 114-124. LAL shot 53% (47 of 89) to DEN's 59%, 12 of 29 from three. The glass went 31-47 against them. James led with 26 (12 of 20, 2 of 5 from three); Hachimura added 23, Reaves 19. Q1 was theirs, 33-27, but the other 3 periods went 97-81 against them. They led by as many as 11. Hachimura's -13 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/04 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 122, shooting 53 percent and 40 from three, 14 free throws a game; James at 30 and Davis at 25 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Vanderbilt (12 straight), Vincent (34 straight), Wood (6 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 18 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 33 and Holmgren at 22 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 111 a night to the Lakers' 122 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-1 a night and the Lakers minus-6. Call it OKC 119, the Lakers 117, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/06 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; James at 28 and Davis at 25 a game. Without Vanderbilt (13 straight), Vincent (35 straight), Wood (7 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Fox at 27 and Murray at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-5 a night and the Lakers minus-3 and the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Sacramento's 36. Call it the Lakers 119, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.
3/08 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 19 free throws a game; James at 28 and Davis at 23 a game. Without Vanderbilt (14 straight), Vincent (36 straight), Wood (8 straight). One day's rest. Milwaukee comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 102, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 29 and Lillard at 23 a game. Without Middleton (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Milwaukee allowing 102 a night to the Lakers' 120 and the arc, the Lakers at 42 percent from three to Milwaukee's 36. Call it Milwaukee 116, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/10 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 122, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 21 free throws a game; James at 27 and Russell at 24 a game. Without Vanderbilt (15 straight), Vincent (37 straight), Wood (9 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Edwards at 23 and Towns at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Towns (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 44 percent from three to Minnesota's 32 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 110 a night to the Lakers' 122. Call it the Lakers 115, Minnesota 114, Minnesota keeping it close.
2/23 @ POR 127-112 — DEN notes
DEN won 127-112. DEN shot 59% (50 of 85) to POR's 46%, 13 of 33 from three. Porter Jr. led with 34 (13 of 21, 5 of 10 from three); Jokić added 29, Gillespie 18. The hinge was Q2, 38-28: a lead of 5 became 15, and the lead reached 22. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
2/25 @ GSW 119-103 — DEN notes
DEN won 119-103. DEN shot 49% (43 of 88) to GSW's 43%, 11 of 32 from three. DEN turned it over 10 times to GSW's 17. Jokić led with 32 (13 of 24, 2 of 6 from three); Murray added 27, Gordon 17. The hinge was Q4, 28-16: a lead of 4 became 16. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
2/28 vs SAC 117-96 — DEN notes
DEN won 117-96. DEN shot 53% (46 of 86) to SAC's 40%, 15 of 35 from three. J. Murray led with 32 (13 of 15, 5 of 6 from three); Gordon added 17, Caldwell-Pope 16. The hinge was Q3, 35-17: a lead of 10 became 28, and the lead reached 32. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +40.
2/29 vs MIA 103-97 — DEN notes
DEN won 103-97. DEN shot 43% (36 of 84) to MIA's 42%, 12 of 34 from three. Porter Jr. led with 30 (12 of 23, 4 of 10 from three); Jokić added 18, Caldwell-Pope 18. The hinge was Q1, 36-20: from level to 16 ahead. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
3/02 @ LAL 124-114 — DEN notes
DEN won 124-114. DEN shot 59% (54 of 92) to LAL's 53%, 11 of 26 from three. The glass went 47-31 for them. Jokić led with 35 (16 of 25, 1 of 5 from three); Porter Jr. added 25, Murray 24. The hinge was Q4, 35-25: from level to 10 ahead. DEN trailed 58-66 at the half and won the second half 66-48. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/05 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 104, shooting 53 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Porter Jr. at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. 2 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 114, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Durant at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the line, where Phoenix takes 28 free throws a game to Denver's 17 and the defense, Denver allowing 104 a night to Phoenix's 114. Call it Denver 116, Phoenix 110.
3/07 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 16 free throws a game; Jokić at 25 and Murray at 23 a game. One day's rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 101, shooting 52 percent and 43 from three, 17 free throws a game; Brown at 27 and Tatum at 27 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-9 a night and Denver plus-3 and the arc, Boston at 43 percent from three to Denver's 38. Call it Boston 114, Denver 111, Denver keeping it close.
3/09 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 15 free throws a game; Jokić at 25 and Murray at 22 a game. One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Markkanen at 18 a game. Without Markkanen (2 straight), Kessler (4 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 107 a night to Utah's 120 and the line, where Utah takes 21 free throws a game to Denver's 15. Call it Denver 118, Utah 111.
3/11 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 112, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 16 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Murray at 23 a game. One day's rest. Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Barrett at 21 and Quickley at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Brown (4 straight), Ramsey (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-1 a night and Toronto minus-10 and the defense, Denver allowing 112 a night to Toronto's 123. Call it Denver 120, Toronto 110, Denver by 10.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
JH J. Holiday
JM J. Murray
JO Jokic
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RJ R. Jackson
ZN Z. Nnaji
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
CR C. Reddish
DR D. Russell
JH J. Hayes
LJ L. James
RH R. Hachimura
SD S. Dinwiddie
TP T. Prince
DEN/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur