Los Angeles lived to fight another day, finally getting one over the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets 119-108 Sunday (PHL) at the Cypto.com Arena.
For the fourth-straight game in this series, the Lakers led by double digits. But for the first time in four games, Los Angeles managed to hold serve for the wire-to-wire victory, the team’s first against these Nuggets after 12 tries.
LeBron James came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of his 30 points in the final 12 minutes. James also had five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, the last of which being a swipe on Nikola Jokic leading to a power slam and a 111-98 Lakers lead.
Locked In 👑 pic.twitter.com/Sr57EfGzOw
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 28, 2024
Even then, the Nuggets refused to go away, cutting the deficit to seven with 52 seconds left. The Lakers turned to Austin Reaves for free throws, and the third-year guard was perfect in his final four attempts to seal the deal.
After three consecutive 30-10 games, Anthony Davis went for a 20-20 one in Game 4, putting up 25 points, 23 rebounds, and six assists in another strong performance to anchor the Lakers.
D’Angelo Russell fired four triples for 21 points, bouncing back from his zero-point effort in Game 3. Reaves finished with 21 points and six assists, as the Lakers avoided a second-straight sweep at the hands of the Nuggets.
Austin Reaves Appreciation Post pic.twitter.com/rtMpaIH54s
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 28, 2024
Even with the win though, the odds are supremely stacked against the Lakers with no team in the history of the NBA overcoming a 0-3 deficit.
Denver got 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists from Jokic, while Michael Porter Jr. added 27.
Despite his continued shooting struggles, going 9/23 in Game 4, Jamal Murray was still good for 22 points for the champs.
