From Silver Screen and Roll

  • D’Angelo Russell reveals secret behind bounceback Game 4 performance

    D’Angelo Russell’s reputation as a streaky shooter would suggest the results for him are largely dependent on whether his shots are falling or not. And to a certain extent, that is true. As he said after Game 1, the shots he was taking that game were ones he was happy to take, and one game later, he made good on that claim by knocking down seven 3-pointers. D’Lo did not quite make the same proclamations after Game 3, a contest in which he went 0-7 from the field and 0-6 from the 3-point line....

  • Lakers Injury Report: Jarred Vanderbilt ‘eyeing’ Game 3 return

    After being out since the start of February, the Lakers appear set to reportedly welcome back Jarred Vanderbilt from injury for Game 3. Vanderbilt has been ramping up his rehab with the postseason underway. On Monday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported that Vando is aiming to be back for Game 3 against the Nuggets on Thursday. Prior to Game 2 in Denver, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham spoke about Vando, saying he went through an extensive workout during the team’s shootaround on Monday morning. The...

  • Darvin Ham says Lakers have more defensive strategies to use on Jokic

    As a whole, the Lakers’ Game 1 loss to the Nuggets felt a lot like the preceding eight over the last two years. A valiant effort from the purple and gold was undone in the final minutes as Denver walked away with a win. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. That isn’t to say, though, that the details in the middle of the all-too-familiar formula. The Lakers tried new things against Nikola Jokic defensively. They didn’t really work as he finished 15-23 from the field for 32 points. But they tried them! The Lakers...

  • NBA Playoffs: A history of Lakers vs. Nuggets postseason matchups

    Editor’s Note: Our moderator BeautifulLakes elected to do a deep dive on the history of the Lakers and Nuggets in the NBA playoffs as the two sides are set to square off in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. While everyone remains the 2023 Western Conference Finals, the history is much deeper than that. In 1979, the first round of the playoffs was a best-of-three series. After the Nuggets won Game 1 and the Lakers took Game 2, it set up a pivotal Game 3 in Denver, which is the only time...

  • Anthony Davis thinks the Lakers are clicking at the right time entering playoffs

    To get into the playoffs, the Lakers had a long stretch where every game felt essential. They responded to that pressure by going 18-8 through March and April to reach the No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in game. They ultimately took care of business beating the New Orleans Pelicans to earn the seventh seed. After the Lakers' play-in victory, Anthony Davis discussed the quality of play of the team entering the playoffs. "I think we're clicking at the right time," Davis said. "We still have a lot to...

  • Darvin Ham thinks Gabe Vincent's 'experience' and 'championship pedigree' will help Lakers vs. Nuggets

    The Lakers and Nuggets rematch feels a lot like déjà vu all over again given how often the two sides have played one another in the last year. Largely speaking, the cores of both teams are the same, particularly the starting lineups. The pieces around those starters, though, have changed. On either side, they could serve as difference makers, including with the Lakers having Gabe Vincent this time around. Despite not being 100%, Vincent, in theory, is someone who could have success against Jamal...