Nuggets open title defense with 9th-straight win over Lakers

In essentially the same script as their previous encounters, the Denver Nuggets found a key stretch to crush the hopes of the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

In Game 1 of their round 1 clash of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Nuggets found that in the third quarter, using a 32-18 run to flip the script, leading to a 114-103 victory at Denver.

 

The champs have now beaten the Lakers in nine straight games, leading back to last season’s regular season.

 

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— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 21, 2024

 

 

All five starters scored in double figures for Denver, led by Nikola Jokic with 32 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.

 

Jamal Murray added 22, albeit coming off a 9/24 shooting game. Michael Porter Jr. dropped 19, while Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were good for 12 each.

 

The Lakers led by as many as 12 in the first half, and still led by three at the break after LeBron James hit a long three with 0.8 seconds remaining.

 

But the Nuggets dominated the third, with KCP waxing hot with four triples. The Lakers tried to make a final push in the fourth behind Anthony Davis, but the Nuggets close it out with Jokic leading the charge once again.

 

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— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 21, 2024

 

 

Davis played 44 minutes and finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks to power the Lakers.

 

LeBron was good for 27 points and eight assists, but committed seven turnovers, while D’Angelo Russell shot 6/20 from the field for 13 points.