Lakers vs. Nuggets: Game 4 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Hustle alone only gets you so far.

The Los Angeles Lakers knocked out a pesky Denver Nuggets team in Game 4, by the score of 92-88, to take a 3-1 series lead. Key three-pointers by Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake down the stretch clinched the game for Mike Brown’s crew.

Tweets of the Night

Early in the second quarter, two JaVale McGee goaltends prompted this fun fact from HoopsWorld’s Alex Kennedy:

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JaVale McGee has scored four points for the Lakers. That makes him Los Angeles' third-leading scorer behind Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 7, 2012"

Andrew Bynum’s bad attitude ignited drama in Hollywood throughout the season, but The Orange County Register’s Kevin Ding pointed out that there’s no tension in particular between Bynum and head coach Mike Brown:

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While Brown was talking to Craig Sager, Bynum (about to be subbed out) wasn't listening to Kuester's huddle either. See, nothing personal.

— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) May 7, 2012"

Speaking of Craig Sager, SportsGrid.com’s CJ Fogler tweeted this picture of the TNT courtside reporter holding a special contraption…while wearing yet another special outfit:

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Craig Sager's suit is...mint. Also bonus look at the mask and face form used to create Al Harrington's mask twitpic.com/9i9zej

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) May 7, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

A poor fan fell victim to the infamously intoxicating drinking game—take a shot when the Lakers allow an offensive rebound.

And because one more tweet couldn’t hurt, here’s some phenomenal reporting by Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears:

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Sources also tell also tell @YahooSports the woman was screaming: "Where is Kenyon?" to @denvernuggets bench before running on floor.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) May 7, 2012"

Grades for Lakers Key Players

Kobe Bryant: C+

Kobe was in quick-trigger mode throughout Game 4. Half the time, it kept the Lakers in the game, but the other half, it backfired. On Sunday night, the prevailing half happened to be the kept-the-Lakers-in-the-game version.

He dropped 22 points and delivered a key assist to Blake for a three that gave the Lakers a six-point lead with under a minute remaining.

Pau Gasol: A

Gasol’s willingness to become the Lakers’ third scoring option has turned the Spaniard into the team’s most efficient offensive weapon. The seven-footer is a force in the high post. He dished out six dimes to go along with his 13 points and nine boards.

Grades for Nuggets Key Players

Andre Miller: A                               

Miller is arguably the least athletic point guard in the league, but he’s strong. And he used his lone physical advantage to dominate Sessions and Blake on the offensive end of the floor. He scored 15 points in the game, keeping Denver in it early.

Deciding Factor

Jordan Hill’s emergence in the second half proved to be the difference in the game. Denver outhustled L.A. for the vast majority of the contest, but Kenneth Faried and friends would not outwork Hill.

He hauled in 11 boards and added 12 points off the bench.

Game MVP

Go ahead and call Gasol soft, but the big man’s tame personality is paying off for the Lakers. If they go on to win the NBA Finals, it will be his unselfishness that allowed it to happen. Gasol’s special ability as a distributor makes it possible for the Purple and Gold to seamlessly play with two shoot-first players, Bryant and Bynum, on the court.

He recorded the squad’s best plus-minus ratio on the night, at plus-eight.

What’s Next

The teams will head back to Los Angeles to face off in a must-win Game 5 for the Nuggets.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels