The Nuggets beat the Lakers (132-126) in the first game of their Western Conference finals, counting for the NBA playoffs, Tuesday. Nikola Jokic (34 pts, 21 rbs, 14 pds), author of a triple-double, led the way for Denver.
The first team with four wins will qualify for the grand final. Game 2 is Thursday, also in Denver, with LeBron James (26 pts) and Anthony Davis (40 pts) leading the Lakers' attack.