Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago

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The Nuggets outlasted the Lakers in Game 1, but LA made a key adjustment down the stretch to slow down Nikola Jokic. This detailed film breakdown & scouting report analyzes why Jokic was so successful attacking Anthony Davis, and what the Lakers did in the 4th quarter to help turn the opening game around in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.

Support at Patreon: patreon.com/thinkingbasketball
Book: amazon.com/Thinking-Basketball-Ben-Taylor/dp/1532968175
Podcast: https://player.fm/series/thinking-basketball or at stitcher.com/podcast/ben-taylor/thinking-basketball-podcast
Website: backpicks.com
Twitter: @elgee35

Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:
pbpstats.com @bballport
basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.

Music by csus (instrumental)

#ThinkingBasketball