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They announced during last night's game the stats on their free-throw shooting as a team (and Vogel's crackdown in practice earlier in the Playoffs); they (obviously) can't afford for it to come down to a close game and/or free-throws in the end.
LeBron, Green and AD can hit late game free-throws. Caruso and Morris are decent. Problem is Rondo, Kuzma and KCP are not consistent. And obviously Howard and McGee can't be on the floor period.
LeBron, Green and AD can hit late game free-throws. Caruso and Morris are decent. Problem is Rondo, Kuzma and KCP are not consistent. And obviously Howard and McGee can't be on the floor period.
LeBron's FT shooting is obviously not where his offensive talent rests; it doesn't need to. That said, I was speaking to their FT stats as a team. Point being, a mediocre (team) percentage in FT can make an impact, particularly in the Playoffs (where other teams are often shooting FT at 90% or so). It's more likely there will be (at least) a game or two in any given series in which the final score is separated by just a few points.
LeBron's FT shooting is obviously not where his offensive talent rests; it doesn't need to. That said, I was speaking to their FT stats as a team. Point being, a mediocre (team) percentage in FT can make an impact, particularly in the Playoffs (where other teams are often shooting FT at 90% or so). It's more likely there will be (at least) a game or two in any given series in which the final score is separated by just a few points.
I am not so sure about the 90% number.
The Lakers were 73% for the season. Denver 77%.
The Lakers / Rockets series the Lakers shot 77%. McGee and Howard did not play of course.
If you take McGee and Howard out of the Lakers free throw numbers (they combined take 4 FT's per game) and not counting them the Lakers are a 78% FT team. End of the game neither will be playing so overall not a big difference between the two teams. In this series its going to be Murray and Jokic / LeBron and AD taking the end of the game free throws. LeBron seems to step up when it counts. I don't see a big advantage for Denver end of game.
And one other factor. During the regular season Lakers shot 5% less at the FT line than their opponents. However they took more free throw attempts per game so they actually made the same amount of free throws as their opponents.
I was (essentially) speaking to the Playoffs (think Portland 18 of 19, for example) in which there is an increased likelihood of a few points determining the (critical) outcome of a game (and why Vogel previously cracked down on FT in practice after the Lakers shot about 50% from the foul line).
I was (essentially) speaking to the Playoffs (think Portland 18 of 19, for example) in which there is an increased likelihood of a few points determining the (critical) outcome of a game (and why Vogel previously cracked down on FT in practice after the Lakers shot about 50% from the foul line).
The Lakers have had 90% games and 50% games. Consistency is a big problem.
80% tonight and 8 more made than the Nuggets. Good hard fought win. Hopefully one more win and on to the finals. The Nuggets are good. Murray and Jokic will be around for many years to come. Nothing but respect for how they have played. There future is bright.
Murray and Jokic will be around for many years to come. Nothing but respect for how they have played. There future is bright.
I'm actually surprised when those guys miss a shot, it feels like they're automatic, at least Murray was today. Lakers did a good job on Jokic, at least drawing fouls on him so that he didn't get in a rhythm.
I'm actually surprised when those guys miss a shot, it feels like they're automatic, at least Murray was today. Lakers did a good job on Jokic, at least drawing fouls on him so that he didn't get in a rhythm.
If one of them is kept in check you can beat them. Double hard on Jokic and draw him into fouls is the best way to deal with him. Murray is going to get his points.
Excellent counter move by the Lakers in starting Dwight Howard after being destroyed on the boards in game 3. Howard responded with 8 points and 8 rebounds in the first quarter, establishing a nice rhythm of control for the game as it eliminated large deficits and Nuggets leads for that matter. Also Lebron guarding the Nuggets high scorer of the night Murray, late during crunch time was really effective, sealing the win.
The Lakers can't get comfortable with a 3-1 series lead against a team like the Nuggets and their predictable mindset for game 5. The Lakers need to counter by coming out and play their best game of this series and close it out.
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