The Los Angeles Lakers are in a precarious position heading into Game 4 on Monday night as they face NBA playoff elimination. After losing Game 3 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers are now facing a do-or-die situation as they are trailing in their Western Conference Finals series against the Denver Nuggets 3-0.
Los Angeles has run into a buzzsaw as Denver has found a way to win each contest despite not putting together four straight good quarters of basketball yet. Alas, they have found a way to win when it matters most, getting clutch baskets and timely stops to swing momentum in their favor at critical moments.
No team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit in NBA history, but that isn’t causing the confidence of LeBron James to waver. He knows that the deck is stacked against his team but had a message for all of his teammates heading into tonight’s game.
“I mean, just got to get one. Just one at a time. Just focus on Game 4, and you know, that’s all you can really think about. I mean, obviously this game is over and done with. We had some opportunities but we didn’t come through.”
“So just get ready for Monday and just got to get one,” James explained. “It’s a one-game series for us. Every game counts, obviously.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers.& Denver Nuggets Updates
One game at a time is the only way James and his teammates can do it. They cannot erase this series lead at once as it will be a grind. Winning four games in a row against the Nuggets is a monumental task.
Denver lost four games in a row only once during the regular season. The Lakers will be looking to make it twice starting on Monday night. As James said, they have to get one at a time and that journey starts now.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers.& Denver Nuggets Updates
James knows a thing or two about overcoming the odds and winning a series. He helped the Cleveland Cavaliers do it against the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship and is hoping to help the Lakers make history this year.
“I mean, it should be. I hope so,” James said. “I can’t speak for the guys right now because I don’t know what’s going on through all their minds right now. But I still do.”
“So you know, it’s time to go right back home and start to refuel and start the treatment process and recovery process and get ready for Monday,” James explained. “My mindset is always locked in as if it’s Game 1.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers.& Denver Nuggets Updates
The Lakers could certainly use a vintage performance from LeBron, who has looked human for the first time in his career during this series. He has struggled mightily with his 3-point shot, making only 15.8 percent this series, as that is causing his overall shooting numbers and efficiency to sag.
Getting that on track, along with already very solid counting stats, is imperative if the Lakers are going to become the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. It won’t be easy, but if anyone can will their team to accomplish such a feat it is James.
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