In a dynamic NBA playoff game, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, faced the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers started strong, leading 33-25 at the end of the first quarter with LeBron scoring 12 points, providing 5 assists, and grabbing 3 rebounds. By halftime, LeBron had increased his tally to 19 points, while Anthony Davis contributed 14 points. The Lakers maintained their lead at halftime with a score of 60-57, thanks to a last-second deep three-pointer by LeBron. However, the Nuggets surged in the third quarter with a 32-15 run, taking an 89-75 lead. Nikola Jokic was a key player for Denver, scoring 15 points by halftime.
It's a 32-15 3rd Q for Denver, capped by this 13-0 run that makes it 89-75, and puts the Lakers - up 12 midway through the 2nd Q - in big trouble.
WHAT A FIRST HALF 🤯 LeBron makes a LONG three to give the Lakers a 60-57 halftime lead. Will LA hold on or will the Nuggets take control in the second half? 🤔 Live Odds 🗻 DEN -3.5 🌴 LAL +140 ↕️ 226.5 Total Points https://t.co/PL9Pje2ty5
After LAL led by as many as 12, DEN stormed back and Ball Arena is rocking. We go into the half with the Lakers up 60-57, with LeBron hitting a deep 3 just before the buzzer. LeBron 19p on 7-of-10 5a 3r; AD on 7-of-11 18p 7r 4a. For the Nuggets: Jokic 15p on 7-of-10 6r; MPJ 11p
LeBron drilled a deep 3 with 0.8 seconds left in the half to send the Lakers into the tunnel up 60-57. LAL hit Denver with an impressive first punch to go up 12 midway through the 2nd Q, before the Nuggets fought back just as impressively.
The Nuggets trail the Lakers 60-57 at halftime.....Denver was down 49-37 and then went on that three minute stretch to where they can raise their level to where almost nobody can get to, and got back into the game.....
An 8-0 Nuggets run and LA calls timeout. They're up 49-45 with 4:46 left in the first half.
A 4-0 LAL run out of a time out has them up 49-37. Davis scored on a pretty move, before LeBron picked up a loose ball after a bad pass from Jackson and converted a fast break layup. LeBron is 5 of 7, and AD 6 of 8, for 30 of LAL's 49 points. LAL shooting 61.3%.
Anthony Davis is 5 for 7 from the field, including 2 made jumpers and a leaner, plus 4 for 4 at the FT line for a game-high 14 points as LAL lead 45-35. LeBron and Jokic both return (LAL were +2 in the minutes they both sat) at the 7:37 mark.
LeBron played the entire 1st Q, which is not typical, and led the Lakers to a 33-25 margin. He scored 12 points with 5 assists and 3 rebounds, as LAL hit 13 of 21 FG's (61.9%) while holding Denver to 42.3%. In last year's Game 1 of the WCF, Denver led 37-25 after 1.
The Lakers are up 33-25 after 1Q. LAL is shooting 61.9% as a team. LeBron leads all scorers with 12p 5a. Jokic leads DEN with 11p 3r.
The Lakers lead 25-21 with 2:55 left in the first quarter. LeBron has 10 points and 4 assists. LA is 3 for 6 on 3s. They also have a 16-14 edge in paint points. Peyton Watson (8 points and two 3s) has made an impact off Denver's bench but just picked up his second foul.