The Los Angeles Lakers dropped another heartbreaker last night to the Denver Nuggets, marking the eighth straight time Los Angeles has lost to Denver. The team that swept the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals a year ago still has their number, and it’s a grim reality for the team.

It’s the same thing each game between these two, where the game is close until the final few minutes. Denver then goes on a massive run to pull away with the win.

The Lakers playing the Nuggets is the definition of insanity at this point, with no end in sight. Their defense can’t do anything in the late stages of games, while Denver can’t miss a shot.

“The defensive issues stem from the inability to corral Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic pick-and-roll plays, a problem that doesn’t solely belong to the Lakers. Murray scored 10 points in the fourth quarters in each of Denver’s last two wins against the Lakers. Last year in the Western Conference finals, he averaged 10.8 points in the fourth.”

Murray and Jokic are one of the better duos in the NBA, but something turns when it’s closing time. It’s like the Lakers forget how to play basketball, and the Nuggets take advantage fully.

“Additionally, the Nuggets supporting cast has feasted with the defense focused on Murray and Jokic. This season in three fourth quarters, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon have scored 32 points on 75% field-goal shooting.”

Denver executes well down the stretch, and the Lakers have no answer. It’s both a coaching problem and execution by the players. But something needs to give.

“In reality, the gap between the Lakers and Denver, the team that’s now beaten them eight straight times, is only getting wider.”

Unless the Lakers prove they can beat the Nuggets, it will be more of the same. They won’t reach their lofty goals this season, as the Western Conference directly goes through Denver until further notice.