The Lakers are now 11-3 in the post-season and need just one more win to make it back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
Anthony Davis led the charge with 34 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, while LeBron James was just shy of another playoff triple-double, recording 26 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
For the Nuggets, they were led by 32 points and eight assists from Jamal Murray as they face a 3-1 deficit for the third time in the 2020 playoffs.
If you missed any of the action we had you covered with live updates, highlights and more from this contest.
– Every time the Lakers make a run and get the lead out to double-digits, the Nuggets have found a response and head into the third quarter down three points, closing the period on an 11-4 run
– Michael Porter Jr has come to life for the Nuggets with a couple of big triples. He gets one to go on the final shot of the quarter to make it 13 points and six rebounds off the bench.
– Anthony Davis is again struggling on the glass, with just one rebound. Howard (11) and LeBron (8) have done the bulk of the damage on the glass for LA.
– Rajon Rondo has provided a big spark in the third quarter! The ball fake never gets old. His layup gives the Lakers a 10-points lead (2:35)
– The Nuggets are shooting well from the field (57.4%) but the Lakers’ domination on the glass has made the difference. They’ve piled up 20 second-chance points midway through the third.
– Torrey Craig drains the triple and Murray follows it up with another layup as the Nuggets get back to within five points. Timeout Lakers (7:21)
– Dwight Howard gets the free throw to go down and the Lakers have opened up a 10-point lead (70-60) thanks to a 10-2 run (8:14)
Half-time: Lakers 60, Nuggets 55
– After trailing by 12 points, the Nuggets rallied to cut the half-time deficit to just five points, led by Jamal Murray’s 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Jokic and Grant have 10 apiece
– Dwight Howard has been a monster in the first half, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, with 6 on the offensive glass. His activity around the rim has helped the Lakers create 18 second-chance points, more than they’ve had in any game during this series.
– Davis leads the way with 19 points, but the Lakers have four different players in double figures with 14 points from LeBron and 10 from Kuzma.
– Kyle Kuzma’s giving the Lakers some strong minutes, He’s got 10 points in 10 minutes on court.
– The Lakers are making their presence felt on the glass, outrebounding the Nuggets 15-6 midway through the period. Jokic if off to a slow start with 2 points and 0 rebounds.
– Alex Caruso drains the corner triple as the Lakers open their largest lead of the game 42-32 early in the second.
End of first quarter: Lakers 37, Nuggets 30
– It’s been a first-quarter shootout between Davis and Murray. AD leads the Lakers with 14 points, while Murray has 12 for the Nuggets. We’re on track for a high-scoring game with both teams shooting above 55%.
– Howard’s making the most of his start today, hauling in eight rebounds to go with eight points late in the first. Lakers lead 29-23.
Dwight not wasting any time in his first start of the playoffs ⚡️
– The Lakers have gone to their zone defence early, but credit the Nuggets who have moved the ball well early, getting 4 assists on their first 8 made field goals
– LeBron’s bucket caps off a 12-3 run as the Lakers take an eight point lead (5:26)
– A fast start for Anthony Davis, he’s got the Lakers’ first 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting as they lead 10-9. (8:16). Millsap picks up two quick fouls guarding AD and heads to the bench.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
