On an evening the place feelings had been excessive for the Lakers devoted, they hosted the defending champion, Denver Nuggets. Earlier than the sport, a statue of the late and nice Kobe Bryant was unveiled. To high it off, Los Angeles donned the Black Mamba jerseys, the black alternate jerseys worn a number of years again when the group gained their final title. It was a matchup the place followers of each groups bought their cash’s value. Denver by no means trailed, however the Lakers battled till the very finish. On the finish of the evening, the core 4 of the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., had been merely an excessive amount of for LeBron James and firm. The defending champions gained by a ultimate rating of 114-106.
Denver Nuggets Enhance to 36-16 With Highway Win Over Los Angeles Lakers
Notable Denver Nuggets of the Night time
Nikola Jokic was dominant as traditional as he got here away with 24 factors, 9 assists, and 13 rebounds. He and Anthony Davis battled one another at a excessive stage all evening lengthy. Jamal Murray was the high-point man for Denver as he logged 29 factors. Murray additionally had 11 assists and shot a scorching 55.6 p.c from past the arc. One thing concerning the Los Angeles Lakers at all times unlocks the very best within the Blue Arrow. Michael Porter Jr. was additionally red-hot within the win. He got here away with 27 factors, eight key rebounds, and was 4 for seven from three-point territory.
His final three-point make was the dagger after Austin Reaves left him open to go and attempt to steal the ball from Nikola Jokic. As one would count on, Jokic’s consciousness was too good and he discovered MPJ for the wide-open look. Aaron Gordon was additionally instrumental within the win. He might have solely had 11 factors, however he additionally had a team-best field plus/minus score of +18. To not point out, Gordon made a few clutch performs within the ultimate stretch of the fourth quarter. All in all, the Denver Nuggets proved on this matchup why they’re the champions.
Key Performances for Los Angeles
There have been a number of Lakers who had been spectacular regardless of the heart-breaking loss. Anthony Davis scored a team-high 32 factors to go together with 9 whole rebounds and 4 blocked photographs. LeBron James had his traditional star-like efficiency with 25 factors, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists whereas taking pictures 45.0 p.c from the sphere.
A task participant who stepped up on this recreation was Jaxson Hayes. Hayes had many hustle performs to safe additional possessions and was a vivid spot for Los Angeles’ second unit. He completed the evening with a good line of 9 factors, six rebounds, and two blocks. Whereas the Denver Nuggets finally ended up victorious, the Los Angeles Lakers can at the least take delight in the truth that they stored it shut till the tip.