The NBA Playoffs continued last night with an exciting matchup. While the Lakers showed enough resilience to chop into a 21-point second-half deficit, they lost 132-126 to the Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
After taking a timeout down by five with 26.1 seconds remaining, the Lakers turned the ball over, effectively ending their comeback attempt as Nikola Jokic made a final free throw to put the finishing touch on his 34-point, 21-rebound, 14-assist triple-double.
Anthony Davis carried the Lakers with 40 points and 10 rebounds. LeBron James had 26 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Austin Reaves led the late charge with 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Jamal Murray had 31 points and former Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21.
Nikola Jokic was fouled with 26.3 seconds remaining and made two free throws to put the Nuggets ahead 131-126.
The Lakers cut the deficit to three on three occasions in the fourth quarter, twice off three-pointers from Austin Reaves. He had 23 points in the game, 11 in the fourth quarter.
Anthony Davis finished with 40 points and 10 rebounds.
We go again in Game 2