Michael Malone lauds the LA Lakers as they end their long-standing adversity. LeBron James & Co. finally ended their 11-game losing streak against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night with a clinical performance. The team dominated the game right from the tip-off and held the lead throughout the final buzzer. Following the game, Nuggets coach Michael Malone gave a glimpse of the team’s huddle during the post-game press conference.

Speaking to the reporters, Malone didn’t hesitate to appreciate the Lakers for their effort. But before that, he revealed how the Nuggets team huddle echoed its broken record in the Crypto.com arena. He said, “I think you heard most of our huddles. It sounded like a broken record tonight. Every huddle was paint! paint! paint!”

He further went on to break down the game. He added, “They were 42 at halftime. That’s an incredible number. I just didn’t think we have the requisite physicality or urgency.” Finally, the Lakers broke the streak with a 119-108 win.

The Lakers had a repeated issue throughout the series and tonight they have evaded it. In the first three games, the Lakers held a lead, going into the halftime break. It was always after the break when the Nuggets collapsed the Lakers’ offense. Speaking of it, Austin Reaves said, “Our third quarters have been atrocious… We have to be good in all four quarters, but especially that third quarter.” And the team exactly did what he wished for, dropping 30 points, just two short of the visitors.

Apart from that, the team has rectified several issues that nagged them throughout the series and forced Game 5. Will this be the turning point of the series? Can LeBron James & Co. carry forward the momentum from this game? Only if they stay consistent with their efforts tonight.

The Lakers tick all the boxes in the comeback win

Just like they evaded their third-quarter trouble, they have also overcome several other troubles. Firstly, the D’Angelo Russell mystery. After Game 1, the star guard was all over the internet for his poor shooting night 1-10 3PM, but he backed it up again with a masterclass in Game 2. Nevertheless, he again fell in trouble after not bothering the scorers in Game 3.

However, he turned up the heat in the much-needed game, scoring 21 points with 8-15 FG. He also orchestrated the crucial part of the fourth quarter when the Lakers ballooned their lead above 15 points. Secondly, James’ fourth quarter trouble. He took shots from veteran analyst Skip Bayless for ‘no show’ in the fourth quarter. Tonight, he shut him up with 14 points in the last quarter alone. He finished the game with 30 points in his 39 minutes.

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Austin Reaves, who was also criticized after the first two games with a poor run, averaging 11 points continued his momentum from the third game and dropped 21 points with 6 assists. The only player who needs to step up is Rui Hachimura, who averaged 5 points in the last three games, dropped only 9 points tonight. On hindsight, he dropped it with a 50% FG.

Will the Lakers force Game 6 at Ball arena? Let us know in the comments below.