DENVER Nuggets overcame a slow start to beat Los Angeles Lakers, 114-103, in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference first round playoffs on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Nikola Jokić led the way for the Nuggets with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, while Jamal Murray backed him with 22 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds.
Michael Porter Jr. finished with 19 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tallied 12 points, and Aaron Gordon contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists for the defending champions.
Trailing by double-digits in the opening quarter, the Nuggets slowly clawed their way back to cut the deficit to 57-60 at the half and later took an 89-78 lead behind connections from Jokić and Murray.
Denver’s lead grew to as high as 15 points at 96-81 on a basket by Christian Braun. LA made its last push at 92-98, but the Nuggets widened the lead anew to double-digits at 114-103.
Anthony Davis finished with 32 points and 14 rebounds, LeBron James added 27 markers, DAngelo Russell and Austin Reaves ended with 13 markers apiece for the Lakers.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Cavaliers also drew first blood in their Eastern Conference first round series with a 97-83 triumph over Orlando Magic at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
Donovan Mitchell top-scored for the Cavs with 30 points, Jarret Allen had a double-double of 16 points and 18 rebounds, and Evan Mobley contributed 16 points and 11 boards.
The Cavaliers set the tone with a 33-26 first quarter lead before they hang on to the advantage the rest of the way by preventing the attempted runs by the Magic.
In other results, Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0) edged Phoenix Suns (0-1), 120-95, while New York Knicks (1-0) prevailed over Philadelphia 76ers (0-1), 111-104./PN
BOX SCORE:
DENVER 114 — Jokić 32, Murray 22, Porter 19, Caldwell-Pope 12, Gordon 12, Watson 8, Jordan 4, Jackson 3, Braun 2, Holiday 0.
LOS ANGELES 103 — Davis 32, James 27, Russell 13, Reaves 13, Prince 11, Hachimura 7, Dinwiddie 0, Vincent 0, Hayes 0.
Quarterscores: 25-33, 57-60, 89-78, 114-103.
