The Lakers came close to stealing a game on the road to start the Western Conference finals… was that their best chance to grab the game in Denver that they’ll need in order to win the series?
Maybe. Believe in narratives at your own risk, but here’s the list of NBA teams that lost Game 1 on the road by single digits since 2017.
2023 Warriors vs. Kings: Lost Game 2, won series
2022 Mavericks vs. Suns: Lost Game 2, won series
2022 Bulls vs. Bucks: Won Game 2, lost series
2022 Nets vs. Celtics: Lost Game 2, lost series
2021 Clippers vs. Suns: Lost Game 2, lost series
2021 Clippers vs. Jazz: Lost Game 2, won series
2021 Bucks vs. Nets: Lost Game 2, won series
2021 Wizards vs. 76ers: Lost Game 2, lost series
2021 Lakers vs. Suns: Won Game 2, lost series
2021 Heat vs. Bucks: Lost Game 2, lost series
2019 Warriors vs. Raptors: Won Game 2, lost series
2019 Raptors vs. Bucks: Lost Game 2, won series
2019 Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets: Won Game 2, won series
2019 Rockets vs. Warriors: Lost Game 2, lost series
2019 Thunder vs. Trail Blazers: Lost Game 2, lost series
2018 Bucks vs. Celtics: Lost Game 2, lost series
2018 Timberwolves vs. Rockets: Lost Game 2, lost series
2018 Jazz vs. Thunder: Won Game 2, won series
2018 Wizards vs. Raptors: Lost Game 2, lost series
2017 Spurs vs. Warriors: Lost Game 2, lost series
2017 Hawks vs. Wizards: Lost Game 2, lost series
2017 Pacers vs. Cavaliers: Lost Game 2, lost series
By outcome…
12 teams lost both Game 2 and the series
5 teams lost Game 2 but won the series (by winning Game 5, 7, or both on the road)
3 teams won Game 2 but couldn’t defend their own home court and lost the series
2 teams won Game 2 and the series
The Nuggets’ institutional memory of 2019, their only appearance on this list, may be beneficial to them.
We Can Pod It Out 113: The Fool On The Hill