Nuggets Sweep Lakers in Season-Opening Game
Denver Dominates LA in Game 1 of Western Conference Playoffs
Key Takeaways from Denver's Triumphant Night
Once again, the Los Angeles Lakers have fallen short to the Denver Nuggets, this time in Game 1 of Round 1 of the Western Conference playoffs. The Nuggets, who swept the Lakers out of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, continued their dominance on the opening night of the 2023-24 season.
Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, led the Nuggets with a 29-point triple-double, while LeBron James tallied 22 points for the Lakers. The Nuggets controlled the game from start to finish, leading by as many as 20 points in the second half.
Here are five key takeaways from Denver's triumphant night:
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Jokic is unstoppable: The Serbian superstar once again proved why he is the league's most dominant player. He was virtually unguardable in the post and dished out 11 assists to his teammates. *
Lakers' defense struggles: The Lakers' defense, which has been a concern all season, was once again exposed by the Nuggets' high-powered offense. Denver shot 52% from the field and hit 11 three-pointers. *
Nuggets' depth: The Nuggets have a deep and talented roster that can hurt opponents in multiple ways. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon both scored over 20 points off the bench, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 13 points. *
Lakers' offense stalls: The Lakers' offense, which also struggled during the regular season, was unable to keep up with the Nuggets' firepower. James was the only player in double figures for Los Angeles. *
Nuggets send a message: The Nuggets sent a clear message that they are a team to be reckoned with this season. They will be a major threat to win the NBA championship.
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