Dan Woikestaff

The Nuggets have beaten the Lakers eight consecutive times, but LeBron James and Darvin Ham know what they must do to defeat Denver in the playoffs.

DENVER — History says the Lakers are in trouble. Asked about the matchup involving the Lakers and the Denver Nuggets , one Eastern

DENVER — There are the technical elements of this first-round playoff series, such as the amount the Lakers can get into offensive sets, the right actions at the right times.

DENVER — There was a feeling around the arena and in the media room Saturday night that the Lakers had fired their best punch and that, maybe, it just wasn't good enough.

Jamal Murray hits a midrange jumper just before the final buzzer to lift the Denver Nuggets to a stunning, 101-99 comeback victory over the Lakers in Game 2.

As the Lakers were rolling through the final third of the NBA season, their identity complete with Rui Hachimura in the starting lineup and their offense humming, a trend was quietly developing.

The climb is mountainous, trouble lurking at every step. One bad dribble, and Denver runs the other direction, creating an open three.

LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell each have 20-plus points to help the Lakers force Game 5 in Denver on Monday night.

Breaking down how the rebuilt Lakers fell apart this season, from injuries to failed lineup changes, before losing in five games to the Nuggets.

The Lakers have fired coach Darvin Ham after two seasons, both of which had some unarguable successes and both of which ended with the Lakers losing to Denver in the playoffs.