There is no such thing as a moral victory in pro sports, especially during the NBA Playoffs. But perhaps the Lakers came close to one in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.
They got outplayed badly in the effort categories, particularly when it came to rebounding and fast-break points, which led to an 18-point halftime deficit. After that deficit grew to 21 in the third quarter, they continually pecked away at it like a flock of hungry birds, coming to within three with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter before falling 132-126.
