The Denver Nuggets started the playoff phase in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with a win over the LA Lakers with 114:103 at home. Thus, Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in the first-round series in the Western Conference. The third quarter proved to be key, which the champions won 32:18 after trailing by three points at the break.
Two-time MVP award winner Nikola Jokic traditionally led the way for the winners with a double-double of 32 points and 12 rebounds while also adding 7 assists. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon also had double-doubles, with Murray scoring 22 points with 10 assists and Gordon scoring 12 points with 11 boards. The other two starters in the Nuggets' starting five, Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, also finished in double figures with 19 and 12, respectively.
For the Lakers, LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for a total of 59 points, but their efforts were insufficient. "The King" finished with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, and "The Brow" had 32 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves scored 13 points each, and Taurean Prince scored 11 off the bench.
Game number 2 is back in Denver and will be played on Monday night.
The rest of the results:
Cleveland Cavaliers - Orlando Magic 97:83 (1-0 for the Cavaliers in the East series)
Minnesota Timberwolves - Phoenix Suns 120:95 (1-0 for the Timberwolves in the West series)
New York Knicks - Philadelphia 76ers 111:104 (1-0 for the Knicks in the East series). /BGNES
