BBNBA: Anthony Davis' 40 points not enough to down Jamal Murray, Nuggets

If Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals was any indication of what’s to come, we’re in store for an entertaining series. But it didn’t exactly start out that way.

During Tuesday night’s opening game in Denver, the top-seeded Nuggets squeaked out a 132-126 victory over the No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers. A furious fourth-quarter run by the Lakers spurred a late comeback attempt. The Nuggets led by as many as 21 points in the second half before Los Angeles trimmed that advantage down to as few as three points on multiple occasions down the stretch. But Nikola Jokic’s sixth triple-double of these playoffs (34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists — insanity) helped Denver fend off the under-seeded Lakers.

The loss certainly wasn’t due to Anthony Davis‘ play though. The former Wildcat exploded for 40 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks, and zero turnovers in 42 minutes of action. He shot 14-23 from the field and even knocked in a three-pointer along the way. LeBron James chipped in 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, as well.

Los Angeles was actually firing on all cylinders on offense, but it was the defense — which gave up 72 first-half points to Denver — that dug them into an early hole. The Nuggets shot 15-32 from long range on the night and it felt like they couldn’t miss at times no matter who took it, especially when Jamal Murray was letting it fly.

Murray finished with 31 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 37 minutes for the Nuggets, shooting 12-20 overall from the field and 4-8 from deep. He hit a handful of his signature “How the hell did he make that?” jumpers, all while battling an ear infection. In doing so, Denver defended homecourt and will take a 1-0 lead into Thursday night’s Game 2.

Even in a seven-game series, that’s a big deal. The Lakers had won both of its previous Game 1s of these playoffs on the road, ultimately winning those series in six games. For the Nuggets to come out so aggressive in Game 1 was no small note and it could set the tone the rest of the way.

A combined 258 points between the Nuggets and Lakers were the most in a non-overtime conference finals game since 1987. Game 2 is set for Thursday night in Denver at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.

5/16/23 statistics

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	+/-	MIN
Anthony Davis (LAL)	126-132 L @ DEN	40	14-23 (1-1)	10	3	3	2	0	-8	42
Jamal Murray (DEN)	132-126 W vs. LAL	31	12-20 (4-8)	5	5	3	1	1	3	37
Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL)	126-132 L @ DEN	0	0-0	1	1	1	0	1	5	10
Wenyen Gabriel (LAL)	126-132 L @ DEN	DNP-CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Tonight in the NBA

Eastern Conference Finals
8:30 (TNT): No. 8 Heat (Adebayo, Herro: out) @ No. 2 Celtics | Tied 0-0