Miss-Communication: Actual Issue Which Cost Denver Nuggets Game Two Against Los Angeles Lakers

The Denver Nuggets almost completed another playoff comeback on an LA team. They overcame a 16-point deficit to take a one-point lead with 2.1 seconds to go.

Alex Caruso missed a wide-open three, and the ball was knocked out of bounds by Jamal Murray. Murray blocked Danny Green’s post-rebound shot. Rajon Rondo threw the inbound pass to a wide-open Anthony Davis, who won the game for LA.

However, there was more behind that final play. Davis didn’t just hit the shot, but he got a surprising amount of room to do so. Nikola Jokic made a noble effort at contesting, but he wasn’t on Davis.

Who was supposed to stay on AD for a game-winning position? Well, that was Mason Plumlee who switched off from Davis without anyone covering for him.

But what exactly transpired at that moment? How did the Nuggets end up falling victim to such a crucial defensive mistake? Let’s talk about it.

Denver Nuggets and the switch that switched the series in favor of the Lakers

With just two seconds on the clock, there weren’t many options for the Lakers. Either someone can roll to the rim and tip in a lob, or someone can hit a catch-and-shoot jumper.

However, the lob to the rim was almost impossible when you have a 7-foot center in Nikola Jokic guard the inbounder. The plan looked like it would be a pass to AD, who would toss it up for LeBron to finish.

Mason Plumlee evidently figured out that the play was meant for LBJ and thought it would be smart to cover Bron from the front to restrict his mobility. Jerami Grant was already guarding LeBron, so the expectation would be that Plumlee and Grant switch so that AD wasn’t open.

However, Grant was obviously focusing on LeBron and Plumlee failed to communicate what he thought the defensive set should be. This led to AD getting an open look, as Plumlee was covering Bron’s lane to the rim. Grant tried to switch over, but he was too late.

Jokic did get a good shot contest up, but AD had already locked and loaded the shot before Jokic stretched his arms out. There was nothing he could have done to stop the shot.

Plumlee was smart to cover Bron, as AD himself later revealed that the shot was meant for LeBron. However, the look was way too good for AD to pass upon. One crucial defensive lapse became the difference between 1-1 and 2-0.

Can the Nuggets bounce back?

Being two games down is nothing new for the Nuggets. They overcame back-to-back 3-1 series deficits, so a 2-0 situation shouldn’t light the locker room on fire.

However, when you are up against a Lakers team that is dominating in the playoffs, you should worry. Lakers showed their vulnerabilities in the second half, and Jokic proved that he can be effective even on the Lakers’ defense designed around frustrating him.

However, it comes down to experience. The Lakers have a whole host of veterans on the squad, many with a lot of championship experience. Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, J.R. Smith, Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, and LeBron James have all seen NBA Finals action before.

Everyone except Dwight has rings to show for it. The Nuggets team can’t just pull off four surprises in a row on a team that is this deep with veteran experience.

This game two loss could be a series decided if the Nuggets manage to find themselves in a game seven situation again. However, every team has lapses like that.

Plumlee’s intentions were noble, but the execution failed. Mistakes are made in team sports. The question is, can the Nuggets rally around this almost-win and turn it into a sure thing in game three? That is to be seen.