Lakers vs. Nuggets
The performance of the Lakers in Los Angeles in the first-round series is really worrying. In their first four games against the Denver Nuggets, they only won one game, allowing their opponents to take the initiative in the series with a 3-1 score. As things stand, it seems that the Lakers still have the potential to create a miracle. If they can be invincible in the remaining games, they can also complete the feat of letting three chase four and set an all-time record in the NBA playoffs.
But it's clear that the Nuggets aren't a team that will easily let their opponents fight back. They are absolutely healthy at the moment and continue the core squad that won last season, and their strength should not be underestimated. On the stage of the Western Conference finals last season, they swept the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 4-0, which is enough to prove their extraordinary strength. In this G5 battle, the Nuggets did not choose to drag their feet, playing a total score of 108-106, and successfully kicked the Lakers out of the game with a series score of 4-1.
The specific results
Murray opened the game with an accurate three-pointer from the opener. However, the Lakers were like a raging tide and quickly took the lead with an 8-0 offensive run. However, at the end of the first quarter, the Lakers suddenly fell into a scoring drought, and the Nuggets went down the mountain like a tiger, scoring 10 points in a row to achieve a score overtake. In the second quarter, the Nuggets' shooting rate crossed the night sky like a meteor and fell instantly, while the Lakers seized this opportunity and regained the initiative on the court. However, Pope left the court again due to injury, casting a shadow over the Lakers' prospects. At halftime, the Lakers led by just three points.
Returning in the second half, Davis was unfortunately injured in a fierce confrontation with Porter, and his shoulders were under tremendous pressure. Fortunately, after adjustments, he was still able to keep fighting. However, the Nuggets launched a wave of 9-0 offensive like a storm and once again achieved a score overtake. Davis reluctantly returned to the locker room for inspection, and the situation for the Lakers became more and more dire.
In the final battle, the two sides come and go, like a tug-of-war. It wasn't until the last minute that the winner was finally decided. James stepped up and made both free throws to level the score. Murray, on the other hand, was as heroic as a knight, riding a horse and shooting an arrow to score a crucial goal that led to a two-point lead to a narrow 108-106 overall victory.
epilogue
As far as the facts are concerned, the strength of the Nuggets' side is really amazing, and only three players on their team scored in double figures, but they still completed the final comeback. Jokic played 41 minutes and posted a luxury quasi-triple-double of 25 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists. Murray also had a game-high 32 points, as well as 3 rebounds and 7 assists, as well as Porter Jr., who had 26 points and 4 rebounds. After successfully advancing to the second-round series, the Nuggets will continue to play a new round of matchups with Minnesota's Timberwolves.
And it is indeed a pity that the Lakers ended the first-round series and entered the offseason early. But James can leave the arena with his head held high in this game. At the age of 39, he played 44 minutes and played a team-high playing time, delivering 30 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists for a quasi-triple-double. And Davis also had 17 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists, as well as Russell with 14 points, Reaves with 19 points, and Hachimura with 15 points and 5 rebounds.