Denver Nuggets 113-107 LA Lakers

Second pre-season game and second loss to the Lakers, beaten 113-107 by the Nuggets on Monday night at the Staples Center. The players of Luke Walton showed character at the end of the match, carried by the exploits of Kyle Kuzma, again bleeding out of bench (23 points). But the Angelinos also exposed their difficulties of the moment, between lack of automatisms in attack and inadequacies in defense. Lonzo Ball was injured at the end of the first half (sprained ankle), a priori without too much gravity.

Luke Walton still has some work to do. The Californian technician will have no trouble pointing sectors to work in the next few days. Against Nuggets already in place, his Lakers confirmed that they were still in the running-in phase. Colorado shoppers have enjoyed the many opportunities left by the defense of LA, too often to subscribers absent around the bow. Against Gary Harris (25 points to 5/7 away) and his troops, this does not forgive. The Lakers counted up to 20 units late, sealed by the men's 15/27 3-point Mike Malone.

Outside and inside, it's the defensive turn of the locals who fished, lacking in edge against the effective spacing of Denver, Nikola Jokic and Juancho Hernangomez (3/4 at three points each) leading. The incumbents will also be entitled to their sermon, the intensity of this side of the prosecutor's office returning only when Walton drew on its summer membership. In a press conference, the coach of Los Angeles did not hide it, his players are still young. "I must remember: we are young. "

The Lakers had ideally taken the game in hand three days after their setbacks against the Timberwolves. But the game of LA has gradually disappeared, leaving room for a festival of lost balls. Spectacular, Lonzo Ball has not been effective at the end, struggling to put his own. Around him, all five starting was expensive, author of 14 of the 22 lost balls of players in yellow, despite a generally limited playing time.

To the Californians to get up, they will have the opportunity from Wednesday to be more determinated against these same Nuggets.