Denver Nuggets hit first in the Western Conference. With a brilliant performance by Nikola Jokic, the best team of the regular phase prevailed 132-126 over the Los Angeles Lakers and went ahead 1-0 in the series that will define one of the NBA finalists.
At the Ball Arena of the Colorado state franchise, Jokic established himself, once again, as the top figure of the match, with a superlative production that included a ‘triple-double’ with 34 points (9-14 in doubles, 3-3 in triples, 7-8 in free throws), 21 rebounds and 14 assists. The Balkan basketball player, 28 years old and 2.11 meters tall, culminated a spectacular task with the realization of two caps, in the 42 minutes he was on the field.
In the winning team, led by DT Michael Malone, she was also featured the task of point guard Jamal Murray, who finished with a balance of 31 points (8-12 in doubles, 4-8 in triples, 3-3 in free throws), five rebounds, five goal passes, three recoveries and one block in the 37 minutes that he remained in the game box.
In the winning quintet, the perimeter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope collaborated with 21 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 rebounds and a block, while Michael Porter added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
In the Californian franchise, which reacted notably in the last quarter and cut a deficit that came to around 20 points, power forward Anthony Davis showed off, who signed an outstanding performance, with 40 points (13-22 in doubles, 1-1 in triples, 11-11 in free throws), 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in almost 42 minutes.
The top scorer in NBA history, the star LeBron James, made another commendable performance, finishing with 26 units (9-12 in doubles, 0-4 in triples, 8-11 in free throws), 12 rebounds and 9 assists in 40 minutes. The Japanese forward Rui Hachimura, who controlled Jokic well in the final stretch of the matchculminated with a balance of 17 points, an assist and a cap in 28 minutes.
The second encounter of the key It will be held on Thursday, again at the Ball Arena, also from 9:30 p.m. in Argentina. Meanwhile, starting at 9:30 p.m. this Friday, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat will open the Eastern Division final at the TD Garden in Boston.