Lakers Remain Without Reinforcements After Optimism of a Game 3 Return

In what is a do-or-die game for Los Angeles, the Lakers will not be getting much needed reinforcements for game 3 against Denver.

With the Lakers down 0-2 in the series, they will continue to make their post-season run with a massive hole in their lineup. The return of two role players might be the only solution that will be able to get L.A. over the hump, in what is a seemingly unbeatable Nuggets team.

The Lakers’ last resort will be for their best perimeter defender Jarred Vanderbilt, and skilled big man Christian Wood to return for game 4.

Jarred Vanderbilt

After missing his 35th game on Monday for the purple and gold, Vanderbilt remains out with a right foot injury. 

It is not a surprise that the Lakers’ defensive rating improves when he is on the floor at a team-best 112.3. In the hopes that they can hold a lead should they take one in game 3, they will continue to rely on Austin Reeves and Rui Hachimura, who have had the daunting task of guarding Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.

Since Feb 1st, the Lakers have had to weather the storm without Vanderbilt’s presence on defense. His energy and grit are vital if the Lakers want to get back in this series, and have a real shot at taking down a team who have beaten them 10 straight times.

The Lakers now hope that his return will come in game 4 on Saturday. If LeBron James and company can find a way to pull out a victory tonight, then a Vanderbilt return will surely lift the Lakers in a potential series-tying opportunity.

Christian Wood

For the Nuggets, size always seems to be their strong suit in a nightmare matchup for the Lake Show. Another skill player is set to miss another crucial game, as Christian Wood could add much-needed depth when Anthony Davis is off the floor.

Wood can stretch the floor and pull Nikola Jokic out of the paint which would allow LeBron James to get downhill.

In order for the Lakers to make this series competitive and avoid a sweep, they must tighten up the screws on the offensive end. With a whopping 26 turnovers over the first two games, there is no way the Lakers can win if they continue that trend. 

This series is pretty much done and dusted if the Lakers lose game 3, so their returns will serve them well to get back into the series.

Keys for game 3

This will be Darvin Ham’s last test to see if he can ensure the team does not shoot themselves in the foot, particularly in the second half.

There does appear to be stretches where the Lakers can’t execute on both offense and defense. This ties into why the Lakers have blown leads in both games and Darvin Ham assured that organization is not the reason why the team can’t compete with the Nuggets late in games.

“I have incredibly talented coaches all along my staff and we pride ourselves whether it’s a practice, a shoot around or a film session. We pride ourselves on being highly efficient and organized.” Ham said at practice on Wednesday afternoon.

Staying organized and figuring out their second-half struggles will be decisive in getting a win in game 3, and pushing for an even series.

A win with support on the way can help the Lakers sway the momentum in their favor, but only if Ham makes the necessary adjustments.

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