Lakers Hold Off Nuggets In Game 4
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets, 114-108, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday at Orlando.
Despite another strong closing effort from the Nuggets, the Lakers held on to secure a, 3-1, series lead, and bring themselves within one win of the NBA Finals. The Lakers got out to a strong start in the contest, as they built a double-digit in the first quarter and carried a seven-point lead into the second. They maintained the momentum to start the second and held a double-digit lead for most of the quarter, but the Nuggets managed to cut it to a five-point game by halftime. The Nuggets came out stronger in the third and trimmed the deficit down to three, heading into the final frame. They continued with a relentless effort in the fourth, but the Lakers responded each time they got too close.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 34 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 41 minutes. LeBron James followed up with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Dwight Howard provided 12 points and 11 rebounds, in 22 minutes. The Lakers shot 48 percent from the field, including 10-of-30 from long range. The Lakers gave themselves the edge by stepping up on the glass, as they hauled in 12 offensive rebounds and converted 25 second-chance points.
Meanwhile, Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 32 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a block, in 45 minutes. Jerami Grant finished with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Nikola Jokic totaled 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field, including 10-of-28 from deep.
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday.
Despite another strong closing effort from the Nuggets, the Lakers held on to secure a, 3-1, series lead, and bring themselves within one win of the NBA Finals. The Lakers got out to a strong start in the contest, as they built a double-digit in the first quarter and carried a seven-point lead into the second. They maintained the momentum to start the second and held a double-digit lead for most of the quarter, but the Nuggets managed to cut it to a five-point game by halftime. The Nuggets came out stronger in the third and trimmed the deficit down to three, heading into the final frame. They continued with a relentless effort in the fourth, but the Lakers responded each time they got too close.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 34 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 41 minutes. LeBron James followed up with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Dwight Howard provided 12 points and 11 rebounds, in 22 minutes. The Lakers shot 48 percent from the field, including 10-of-30 from long range. The Lakers gave themselves the edge by stepping up on the glass, as they hauled in 12 offensive rebounds and converted 25 second-chance points.
Meanwhile, Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 32 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a block, in 45 minutes. Jerami Grant finished with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Nikola Jokic totaled 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field, including 10-of-28 from deep.
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday.