At 8:30 on April 28, Beijing time, in the first round of the 2023-24 NBA playoffs in the Western Conference G4, the Lakers defeated the Nuggets 119-108 at home, chasing the total score of the series to 1-3. Meanwhile, the Lakers ended an 11-game losing streak against the Nuggets. Anthony Davis had 23 rebounds, tying his playoff career single-game rebounding record.
Statistics
Nuggets: Jokic 33 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists, Murray 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Porter 27 points and 11 rebounds, Pope 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals;
Lakers: James 30 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals, Davis 25 points, 23 rebounds and 6 assists, Russell 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Reaves 21 points and 6 assists;
Background
In the first round of the Western Conference in the playoffs this season, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers in the first three games, and Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9 assists per game during this period. It is worth mentioning that the Nuggets have won the last 11 times against the Lakers, including last season's playoffs in the Western Conference Finals, where the Nuggets swept the Lakers 4-0 to reach the Finals. Regarding the current unfavorable situation of being on the verge of going out, James said: "As long as you live, you have to keep the faith and keep going. And that's basketball. Statistically, James has a 14-12 record in playoff career eliminations.
Race moments
At the beginning of the game, the two sides alternated points by holding the ball to break through the layup and inside offense, and when Murray broke through the layup with the ball to score points, the two sides tied 10-10. Hachimura hit a three-pointer and Porter scored on a dunk from Jokic's back pass. In the following period, the Nuggets felt cold, and the Lakers seized the opportunity to blast out a wave of scoring spurts to establish a seven-point advantage. The Nuggets quickly responded with a one-on-one Davis hook shot to make it 21-23. Immediately afterwards, the Lakers scored points from Prince and James to re-establish a seven-point lead. At the end of the quarter, Jokic made 2 fouls and made 2 free throws. At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers were 28-23.
Entering the second quarter, the two sides alternated points in the opening stage of the game, and when Russell hit a long-range three-pointer, the Lakers were 33-25. After that, Murray carried the banner of the Nuggets' offense and scored consecutive points by holding the ball to break through layups and free throws to help the Nuggets close to the score. In the following period, Reaves continued to score points through three-pointers and free throws to extend the lead to double digits, and the Nuggets immediately organized a counterattack, but the Lakers successfully stabilized the situation, and when James turned over and scored a jumper, the Lakers held a 13-point advantage. Jokic made it 2+1 and Murray scored on a free throw, but Davis hit one shot after another. At halftime, the Lakers were 61-48.
Both sides maintained a high shooting percentage on the offensive end in the opening period, and when Davis singled out Jokic to make a rebound, the Lakers held a 15-point advantage. Then, the Nuggets were on fire from the outside, Jokic hit two three-pointers in quick succession and Porter also hit a three-pointer, and when Porter scored a dunk, the Nuggets were close to seven points. Vincent hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding for the Lakers. Immediately afterward, the Lakers scored consecutive points inside and outside to extend the lead to 13 points again. At the end of the quarter, Porter countered with the ball and scored a layup, Russell hit a jumper, and both sides immediately scored on a free throw, and Murray hit a jumper. At the end of the third quarter, the Lakers were 91-80.
In the final quarter, James scored 4 points in a row at the beginning, and Murray immediately scored 4 points in a row, but the Lakers then scored 4 points in a row. Pope hit a three-pointer, Davis and James hit a three-pointer and Russell hit a three-pointer to extend the Lakers' lead to 19 points. The Nuggets instigated a comeback and blasted out a wave of 8-1. Just when the Nuggets were ready to further close the score, James carried the offensive banner and scored consecutive points to help the Lakers stabilize the situation, Lakers 113-103. In the closing stages, the Nuggets instigated a final comeback, but Reaves scored consecutive points to help the Lakers hold on to the win. In the end, the Lakers beat the Nuggets to chase the series to 1-3.
Both sides start
Nuggets: Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Porter, Pope;
Lakers: James, Davis, Russell, Hachimura, Reaves;