The Los Angeles Lakers have been defeated by the Denver Nuggets once more. The Nuggets have defeated the Lakers in each of their last three regular-season contests and in last year’s Western Conference Finals.

Anthony Davis provided a post-game analysis of the Lakers’ most recent setbacks against the Nuggets.

“Their actions are identical. And they consistently defeated us with it. Therefore, we are, I suppose, approaching the first in forty-two or forty-four minutes, correct? The final four minutes are then devoted to them doing whatever they please. As previously stated, they punish us for our errors.

— Anthony Davis, cited in the Los Angeles Times via Dan Woike.

Contrary to what Davis stated, the Lakers had difficulty closing out the Nuggets. Denver was tied at 89 at the end of the third quarter, and the Lakers held the advantage at halftime; however, Los Angeles was unable to maintain the parity.

In contrast, Denver outscored Los Angeles by an entire score in the fourth quarter. With 35 points in the game and the Lakers 25 points in the game, the Nuggets secured the 124-114 victory.

The Lakers’ lack of success against Denver persists. The Lakers are cognizant of the fact that defeating the Nuggets is probable if they wish to have any chance at a deep postseason run or a return to the NBA Finals.

At this time, in order to have a chance, they will need to assemble things together for all four quarters. The Lakers will also need to complete their upcoming schedule, which includes numerous games against NBA contenders such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, and Oklahoma City Thunder.