Frank Vogel says the Lakers ‘settle too much,’ wants them to be more aggressive in Game 4

The Denver Nuggets have done a great job of denying the Los Angeles Lakers looks at the rim in the last two games. Since Game 2, the Lakers have averaged 49 points in the paint per game, which is 3.8 points per game less than what they averaged in the regular season and 5 points less than what they posted in Game 1.

However, the Lakers haven’t done themselves any favors as of late either. As talented and versatile as some of the Lakers’ players are on offense, they’ve developed a bad habit of settling for jump shots, to the chagrin of their head coach Frank Vogel.

“When we settle too much, we play into their hands,” Vogel said after Tuesday’s game. “When we’re attacking the paint, we’re getting great looks every time we’re touching the paint. We definitely have to be more aggressive.”

LeBron James was successful in getting to the basket in Game 3 and converted 11 of his 14 attempts inside the restricted area, but the same can’t be said of his superstar teammate Anthony Davis, who only got to the rim seven times on Tuesday. Davis made all of his attempts from inside the restricted area.

James was happy with the type of looks the Lakers got in Game 3, but he agreed that the Lakers could be more aggressive in attacking the paint.

“I think offensively we were very good,” James said. “At times, we weren’t. I think we just got to do a better job, like Coach was saying, of getting to the paint and once the defense collapses, just finding our guys weak side; if it’s a guy that’s slashing, through a weak side to the paint or if it’s a guy that’s spotted up on our side off one of our bigs, getting behind the defense for a lob.

“Denver has been a pretty good defensive team all year. We understand that. I’m looking forward to seeing our film — our film session tomorrow and continue to get better.”

The Lakers and Nuggets will tip-off Game 4 at 6 p.m. on TNT.

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