The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets squared off in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
After the Nuggets completed their second consecutive 3-1 comeback, taking down the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers, they were riding a ton of momentum heading into this first contest. The Lakers, who have gentlemen’s swept each of their first two opponents, were yet to win a Game 1.
The Lakers made certain this one was in the books early, registering a dominant win.
Anthony Davis finished with 37 points and 10 rebounds, while Lebron James added 15 points and 12 assists.
If you missed the live action we have you covered with live updates, highlights, stats and more from this contest.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets – Score, updates, news, stats and highlights
Final – Nuggets 114, Lakers 126
-That’s it, the clock runs out and the Lakers complete a dominant win over the Nuggets in game 1 to take a 1-0 series lead for the first time in the 2020 playoffs!
-With the Lakers leading by 20+ points the benches have cleared with three minutes to play. This one is in the books for the Lakers.
-Anthony Davis is up to 37 points as the Lakers look to close out game 1. Los Angeles lead Denver 115-93 with 6:41 to play.
-Rajon Rondo has moved into the top-10 for all-time playoff assists!
-Michael Porter Jr. finishes in transition and the Nuggets are on an 8-0 run to cut the score to 109-92. Lakers immediately call time to slow down the momentum. Porter Jr. has 11 points and five rebounds.
End of the third – Nuggets 79, Lakers 103
-It’s all Lakers to finish the thrid with Davis dominating the final minutes. He leads the Lakers with 33 points and 10 rebounds.
-Back-to-back dunks for Dwight Howard and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the Lakers lead is extended to a game-high 19 points!
-Murray is starting to cook for the Nuggets. He has 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting but Denver still can’t stop the Lakers inside and they lead 78-67 with 6:41 left in the third.
-Jokic now picks up his fourth foul off the ball fewer than 60 seconds into the quarter. Disasterous start for the Nuggets.
-We are underway in the third quarter!
-The Lakers have attempted 32 free-throws in the first half. They are physcially overwhelming the Nuggets inside and Denver will have to find a way to defend without fouling if they are to edge back into this game in the second half.
Halftime – Nuggets 59, Lakers 70
-Murray, Jokic and Millsap all have three fouls and sat out critical minutes during the second period.
-Lakers outscore the Nuggets 34-21 in the second quarter to take a double-digit lead into the half. It’s the fifth straight game Denver have trailed at halftime.
-Monte Morris with the finish at the rim but it’s the Lakers with a 65-53 lead with 1:57 until the half. LeBron and AD have combined to pour in 28 points for the Lakers.
-LeBron is now up to ten points in the second quarter and the Lakers lead is up to 15 with six minutes to go in the half!
-Huge moment in the game with Jokic picking up his third foul with 7:22 left in the half. The Lakers are on a 16-1 run to start the period and it’s danger time for the Nuggets.
-Dwight Howard checks in to the game for the Lakers as they continue to go big to try and slow down Jokic. Lakers hold a 45-39 edge with 9:24 left in the half.
-LeBron James steps on the foot of Jerami Grant driving to the basket and takes some time to get up. He is carrying a slight limp but heads to the free-throw line to take two.
End of the first – Nuggets 38, Lakers 36
-Jamal Murray gives the Nuggets the lead at the BUZZER! Huge shot from Murray ends a scoring frenzy in the first quarter…the repective defences haven’t had much of an answer thus far.
-In four games against the Lakers during the regular season Nikola Jokic averaged just 11 shot attempts per game. He’s got up nine in his first ten minute stretch of game one and has 11 points.
-Anthony Davis leads the Lakers with eight points while Jokic has six for Denver.
-Four quick points for the Lakers and Michael Malone calls time with his team trailing 21-17 with 4:23 left in the first quarter.
-It’s been all inside early for both teams, with all eight of the Nuggets points coming in the paint while the Lakers have scored 10 of their 13 in that zone.
-The Lakers take an early 13-8 edge as Jamal Murray will have two free-throws out of the timeout.
Pregame
-The Lakers move JaVale McGee back into the starting lineup for game 1.
-The Nuggets starting five is in!
-Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis are set to duel in a pivotal matchup throughout they series. The All-Star duo are out on the floor getting loose before tip!
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