Draymond Green Identifies Key Adjustments Lakers Should Make in Game 2 vs. Nuggets

• Draymond Green has given the Lakers a few ideas on slowing down Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets
• The Golden State Warriors veteran provided Los Angeles with key adjustments they can make in Game 2
• The Nuggets were incredible in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals but the Lakers almost stole it

The Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 1 of the Western Conference finals 132-126 to the Denver Nuggets but showed incredible resilience to come back from a double-digit deficit.

Golden State Warriors veteran forward, Draymond Green provided the Lakers with some key adjustment ideas for them to slow down Nikola Jokic.

The Serbian was on fire in Game 1. He finished with 34 points, 21 rebounds, 14 assists, and two blocks.

The two-time MVP was not the only one cooking in Game 1. All their starters scored in double figures as the team shot a combined 55% from the field.

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The Lakers trailed by as much as 21 points and had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. However, LeBron James' three-point attempt but fell short.

On 55 Nuggets possessions when Davis was the final defender on Jokic, the hosts averaged 1.45 points per play and shot 66% from the field.

Interestingly, with Rui Hachimura as the final defender on Jokic, Denver averaged just 0.67 points per play in 15 possessions and shot 20% from the floor, per ESPN.

Green on Lakers adjustments

On a recent episode of his podcast, The Draymond Green Show, the four-time NBA champion offered his thoughts on what adjustments the Lakers should consider doing.

“If you put Jarred Vanderbilt on Jamal Murray, say, you have even [LeBron] on [Jokic], and now you switch that pick and roll with [Anthony Davis] at the rim, now you got action. Now you’re keeping AD at the rim, you’re keeping a body in front of Joker, you’re keeping a body in front of Jamal Murray because they also will kill you in that pocket,” Green said via Clutchpoints.

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Green believes that with that defensive coverage, Jokic's passing is removed.

"It allows you to better contain Jamal Murray,” he added.

The Lakers will definitely need to make adjustments to slow down Jokic and Jamal Murray, who had 31 points.

The 2020 NBA champions are trailing for the first time in the playoffs, but head coach, Darvin Ham said they will be fine.

"We'll be OK," Ham said. "Trust me."

Reactions to Lakers vs. Nuggets

Sports Brief also reported on the reactions of NBA Twitter to Game 1 of the Lakers vs. the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals.

Fans lauded Jokic for another incredible performance in the playoffs. Murray also received many plaudits for his excellent display.