NBA: Nikola Jokic Dominates Out The Gate As Denver Nuggets Sink LA Lakers in Season Opener – News18

Nikola Jokic delivered a dominant triple-double efficiency because the Denver Nuggets launched the protection of their NBA championship crown with a season-opening 119-107 victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

On an evening which noticed Nuggets gamers obtain their championship rings because the crew raised its first banner in franchise historical past, Denver tipped off the 2023-2024 season with a show which instructed they’ll as soon as once more be one of many groups to beat.

The conflict on the Ball Arena was a rematch of final yr’s Western Conference finals, which Denver swept 4-0 to achieve the NBA Finals the place they emerged victorious towards the Miami Heat.

Denver threatened to steamroll the Lakers early on, surging into an 18-level lead firstly of the second quarter because the Lakers struggled to comprise two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic and Jamal Murray.

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The Lakers, who strengthened their roster through the offseason with the additions of Taurean Prince, Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood amongst others, fought again through the second half to shut the hole to only three factors at 92-89 in the fourth quarter.

But Denver as soon as once more demonstrated their championship pedigree, pulling away every time the Lakers gave the impression to be inside hanging distance to shut out a formidable victory.

Serbian star Jokic completed with 29 factors, 13 rebounds and 11 assists — his 106th profession triple — as Denver showcased their formidable all-spherical offensive energy as soon as extra.

All 5 Denver starters completed with double-digit factors tallies.

Murray posted 21 factors, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20, whereas Aaron Gordon knocked down 15 and Michael Porter Jr. 12.

The Lakers’ scoring in the meantime was led by James, who completed with 21 factors, whereas new recruit Prince added 18, together with 4 three-pointers.

Anthony Davis completed with 17 factors however light badly in the second half. All of Davis’s 17 factors got here in the primary half.

Austin Reaves (14) and D’Angelo Russell (11) additionally acquired into double figures for the Lakers.

The Nuggets-Lakers match-up was considered one of two season opening fixtures set for Tuesday. The later sport sees the Phoenix Suns journey to the Golden State Warriors.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)