The Nuggets beat the Lakers with Monumental Jokic in the NBA Western Finals

Three years later, the scenario repeats itself. This Tuesday (16), Denver Nuggets that it Los Angeles Lakers They faced each other again in the Western Conference’s Finals NBA. In the reunion between the two teams, he fared better for the Colorado franchise, which won at home 132-to-126 and started to lead in the series.

In the new chapter of the duel, Nikola Jokic is already starting to break the record by closing out the first quarter with 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots, the highest mark of any period of a league game in the last 25 years.

With 16 rebounds, the Serbian pivot pulled off more rebounds than the entire Lakers team in the first phase. The visitors continued to fight back with Anthony Davis, but could not prevent a 72-54 lead for the home side going into the break.

Heading back into the second half, the Nuggets saw the lead collapse. However, Jokic is still not satisfied. The Denver star, hitting a triple-double midway through the third quarter, set the crowd on fire with a stunning three-ball shot in the burst of the period.

With his sixth triple-double of the postseason, The Serb has reached the second-highest mark in NBA history in a single playoff gameworth none other than Magic Johnson.

While the Serbs were advancing down the field, the Lakers cut the deficit, which fell to three in the final quarter. However, not even Anthony Davis’ overwhelming response was able to change the wind direction in Colorado.

With the win, the Nuggets take advantage and increase their hopes of a better outcome than in the conference bubble decision, in the 2019-2020 season, when they lost 4-1.

statistics:

• Nikola Jokic: 34 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists;

• Jamal Murray: 31 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists;

• Anthony Davis: 40 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists;

• LeBron James: 26 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists;

Where to watch the Nuggets and Lakers in the Western Finals in the NBA Playoffs?

All West End matches between the Lakers and Nuggets will be broadcast by ESPN on Star+. Watch the series schedule, with all matches starting at 21:30 (Brasilia):

Match 2 – 5/18 – Nuggets vs. Lakers
Game 3 – 5/20 – Lakers vs. Nuggets
Game 4 – 5/22 – Lakers vs. Nuggets
Game 5 – 24/5 – Nuggets vs. Lakers – if necessary
Game 6 – 5/26 – Lakers vs. Nuggets – if necessary
Game 7 – 5/28 – Nuggets vs. Lakers – if necessary