SUMMARY
- The Lakers had a controversial yet successful challenge in the fourth quarter that may have cost them Game 4.
- Charles Barkley claims the NBA should reward extra timeouts for every successful challenge.
The Los Angeles Lakers were hoping they’d manage to pull off a second victory against the Denver Nuggets in Game 5. It was a very close game with the Lakers leading during the second and third quarters. But as Nikola Jokic said after Game 4, it’s not how you start the game, but how you finish it.
The Nuggets certainly finished off in style with Jamal Murray taking over the floor during the fourth quarter. Despite playing through a calf strain, Murray had 32 points in the game with 12 points being scored in the fourth. Obviously, the Lakers tried their best but now Darvin Ham is on the brink of losing his job while LeBron James’ future in the league remains uncertain.
Charles Barkley believes the Lakers should’ve had their timeout returned after the last successful challenge
During the final minutes of the game, the Lakers were out of timeouts so they could not interfere with Murray’s last possession. The Nuggets were smart for letting the game clock drain down to 4 seconds before Murray took the final shot. However, with no timeouts left, the Lakers could not take time to draw plays and start their possession on the other side of the floor.
Charles Barkley seemed awfully confused as to why the Lakers didn’t receive a timeout after a successful challenge during the fourth quarter. He said, “We need some clarification on the challenge situation, why the Lakers didn’t have any timeouts. That’s because if you win the challenge, you lose the timeout. That doesn’t seem fair to me. I’m not changing the rules… I want clarity. When they challenged, they lost their last timeout. I don’t just understand, they win the challenge but lose a timeout.”
He added, “I don’t understand how you win a challenge and lose a timeout. I mean, I understand the rules, but that just doesn’t seem fair to me.” Kenny Smith also agreed that a team should be given an extra timeout regardless, after a successful challenge. The NBA rulebook states that teams that succeeds in their first challenge will retain a timeout and receive a second challenge as well. However, after a second successful challenge, they will not receive either.
Shaquille O’Neal talks about the Nuggets facing the Wolves in round two
Now that the Nuggets have gone past the Lakers, the second round is going to be even tougher considering the fact that they’ll face the best defense in the entire league. The Minnesota Timberwolves managed to sweep one of the best offenses in the Phoenix Suns. Shaquille O’Neal believes the Wolves pose a greater threat to the Nuggets and they may have to push past Games 4 or 5.
He said, “The Lakers came to play. You know, Charles talks about Denver switched. It worked three games in a row, I don’t know if that’s going to work against Minnesota. But they did what they had to do. They stepped it up when necessary.” Shaq added, “Denver [is] a great team. You got others stepping up. Michael Porter, 26 [points]. You got two guys that you can go to down the stretch. And then the Joker and Jamal Murray. Jamal Murray does it again. They played great.”
This trio showed out tonight 👏
Jamal: 32 PTS / 3 REB / 7 AST / 1 STL
MPJ: 26 PTS / 4 REB / 1 AST / 2 STL
Jok: 25 PTS / 20 REB / 9 AST pic.twitter.com/2GS6TxMqsa— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 30, 2024
Nikola Jokic has been averaging 29 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 10 assists per game in the playoffs. He did a great job in rebounding the ball and bodying the opposition within the paint. However, the Wolves have to be careful of Murray and Michael Porter Jr. The Nuggets wisely create open looks to get easier shots. We saw MPJ score points in transition with ease as well.