We know the first qualified for the NBA Finals!
Led by a (very) tall LeBron James (38 pts, 16 rbs, 10 wt), the Lakers disposed of the Nuggets (117-107) last night at Disney World, during Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
A victory that allows the Los Angeles club to win the series (4-1) and reach the final for the first time in 10 years.
At the time, the so-called Kobe Bryant was in business and had guided his people to a 16th coronation, in seven matches, against the Celtics.
It will also be the 32nd final in the history of the Californian franchise, record in the NBA.
The Nuggets, they were aiming for the first participation in their history in the NBA Finals.
They will still have to wait.
After their historic comebacks against Utah and the Clippers, the march was too high this time.
Nikola Jokic (20 pts), Jamal Murray (19 pts) and company all the same erased a delay of 16 points to give themselves the right to dream, in vain… The Lakers were too strong.
LeBron James was too strong.
27 points for Anthony Davis, uncertain before the meeting (ankle).
LeBron James in boss mode
Despite Jokic's fouling problems and LA's big defense on Murray, the Nuggets did better than resist in the first quarter (33-30).
After Jokic's third fault, with 9'23 to go in the first period (33-34), they began to suffer (49-38).
Finally, Denver was only 10 points behind at the break (61-51 MT).
Cheap paid given the delta in terms of address (57.9% to 42.6) and LA dominance inside.
It was +16 on the restart (72-56), but Denver came back again, thanks to the impact of Jerami Grant (20 pts, 14 in the 3rd QT) and the awakening of Murray (84-84; 87-84 end 3rd QT).
Easy missed baskets, missed shots, loss of ball, questionable whistles too: so many details that prevented the Nuggets from really shaking the ruthless Lakers in the fourth quarter, like this three points Davis after a passage in force not whistled against LeBron (102-92).
There was still only +4 with less than five minutes to go (103-99).
LA started again with a vengeance, with a triple from Danny Green (11 pts) and nine points in a row for “LBJ”, in boss mode.
The triple of the "King" with 1'57 to play marked the end of the hopes of Denver (115-103, then 117-107 final score).
Miami or Boston against the Lakers?
The Lakers may know the identity of their opponents next night (1:30 a.m.), after Game 6 of the Eastern Final between Miami and Boston.
At least if the Heat, who leads 3-2, wins.
In which case the NBA Finals will begin on September 30.
In the event of Game 7 between Boston and Miami, it will be October 2.
The C's have already saved their head once in Game 5 (112-108).
Bis repetita?
Lakers-Heat, it would be an original poster.
Not Lakers-Celtics ... The two most successful clubs in the League have already faced 13 times in the final (8-4 Boston).
The Nuggets can be proud of their journey: third place in the West and qualification against Utah and the Clippers after being led 1-3.
Without a basket from Anthony Davis on the buzzer at the end of Game 2, they might have been able to lead 2-1 against the Lakers… Heart, talent, game: everything to please.
This attractive Denver team will certainly have to be reckoned with in the years to come.
In the meantime, the present is always combined with “King James”, in the final for the tenth time (4 titles).
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