The Nuggets have won nine games in a row, and this time it was all down to superior execution as they cruised to a victory over the Lakers.

Even though they were ahead in the first half, the Lakers were unable to overcome Denver’s pinpoint shooting.

Even though it’s only game one of the series, the Lake Show would have gotten a significant victory had they been able to hang on. The Lakers could have avoided further embarrassment had they defeated the Nuggets in the first game. On the contrary, they are already down and out and could use a victory in Monday’s Game 2.

D’Angelo Russell, who had a terrible game against the Nuggets in last year’s Western Conference Finals, also had a big game this year. One would have thought that following a solid regular season, Russell would enter this first-round series with a new attitude.

In Game 1, something did not occur. The Lakers’ inability to end the Nuggets’ winning streak was mostly due to Russell, who appeared completely different from his regular-season self once again.A stinker from D’Angelo Russell versus the Nuggets is nothing new for Lakers fans.It would have meant everything if Russell had gone 4-9 from beyond the arc in a game where the Lakers were behind 11 points. As time runs out and the Lakers have a chance to get back in the game, Russell gets two open three-point shots. Bricked both of them.

The three-point shooting was just one of the problem. Russell had a golden opportunity to score in the second quarter but missed the basket while also exhibiting terrible off-ball defense. Russell, as he did last season, had a propensity to droop on defense and become disregarded.

TҺe trutҺ is tҺаt Russell excels Ԁuring tҺe regulаr seаsоn but fаils tо Ԁeliver wҺen it cоunts mоst—tҺe plаyоffs. RepeаteԀ оccurrences оf tҺis kinԀ Ԁо nоt cоnstitute аn аcciԀent. Severаl pоtentiаl оppоnents were eаger tо get riԀ оf Russell befоre, аnԀ tҺere’s а gооԀ reаsоn fоr tҺаt. In tҺe plаyоffs, Һe becоmes а tаrget, аnԀ wҺen Һis sҺоts аren’t fаlling, Һis perfоrmаnce cаn quickly escаlаte.

If the Lakers want to make it far in the NBA Playoffs this season, Russell is their best hope. The Lakers become nearly unbeatable four times out of seven when he plays at his regular season performance levels.

But his performance on Saturday night was detrimental to the Lakers. This year’s series will conclude in four games, just like last year’s, if Russell keeps playing like this.