Anthony Davis dominates the Nuggets as the Lakers win Game 1 of WCF

    Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals begin with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers, well that’s the way Clippers fans wished it was but they choked and failed again to advanced as the Denver Nuggets said not today Clippers.

As the first quarter began, both teams began playing well with the Lakers starting on a 7-2 run and continued to play great on the defensive end. The first 2 series were heavy on the guards being the main focus on the Lakers defense and now they have one guard and 1 center in which we all saw these 2 players dominate the Clippers in the previous round.

I predicted Lakers in five. But the Lakers should sweep these Nuggets.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 19, 2020

The Lakers bring other problems to the Nuggets as they have to find a way to maintain LeBron James and Anthony Davis in this series which seems like a difficult task as the Blazers and Rockets showed the world. Davis comes out strong with 10 points in the first 8 minutes of the game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also contributes with his shooting with 2-3 from three with 8 points.

Nuggets G Jamal Murray with a good start as he adds 9 points and Nikola Jokic with 11 points as they pilled up 38 points in the first quarter against a good defensive team as the Lakers take a 2 point lead into the 2nd quarter. Scary moment to start the 2nd quarter as LeBron drives to the basket and steps on Nuggets F Jerami Grant’s foot and twisted it and was down for a few seconds as he ties his laces tighter on his left shoe and gets right up to shoot free throws.

Well … guess the ankle is OK! @KingJames threw down a big 2-hand dunk after @ACFresh21 threw him a pretty pocket pass, one possession removed from an apparent ankle tweak on a drive. LAL up 42-38.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 19, 2020

The Lakers are outscoring the Nuggets 12-1 to begin the 2nd quarter in Game 1 as Lakers C Dwight Howard checks in for the first time. Nuggets have 6 turnovers in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd quarter as Nikola Jokic picks up his 3rd foul and has to go to the bench with 7:13 remaining in the first half. Dwight has been great in the first couple of minutes of play as he brings great energy on to the court with 2 steals and 2 blocks so far.

Dwight switched hands to block Jokic ✋ pic.twitter.com/Tw4gI496LZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 19, 2020

LeBron with 10 points in the 2nd quarter as the Lakers come out strong and currently lead 58-43 in the 2nd quarter. My opinion so far through the first 2 quarters of the game has been what I expected with the Lakers just being more experience and the leadership of LeBron on the court is just harder to defeat that. One problem the Lakers have had all year long was making free throws as they miss 8 total free throws in only the 2nd quarter.

Seventy at the break. #LakeShow@AntDavis23: 17 pts, 5 reb@KingJames: 15 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb pic.twitter.com/dwf5rAprZ7

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 19, 2020

In the beginning of the 3rd quarter the Lakers decided to start Dwight Howard in at center as Javale McGee sits. Jamal Murray so far has been playing the same way he’s been in the playoffs shooting the ball well with 21 points and 5 assists in the 3rd quarter as Anthony Davis is also shooting well with 22 points and 7 rebounds and 2 assists.

Lakers go on a 11-2 run in the 3rd quarter to take back control of the game as the Nuggets were creeping back into the game ans the Lakers lead 94-74. I will now predict a sweep by the Lakers if they continue playing this way throughout the series. Nikola Jokic picks up his 5th foul in the end of the 3rd quarter as he fouls Anthony Davis shooting a three.

This Lakers defense is something else … after that feel-out 1st Q (allowed 38 points), they held DEN to 21 points in the 2nd Q, and 20 in the 3rd. They’ve put in 34 and 33 on the other end, and lead 103-79 as a result.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 19, 2020

During the 4th quarter the game did not change much besides the play of Anthony Davis as he his taking over this game with 37 points 10 rebounds and 4 assists thus far with 6:41 remaining in the game. LeBron currently has 15 points 12 assists and 6 rebounds in this game. Lakers lead by 25 points with 5 minutes left and no room for a comeback for these great Nuggets.

Lakers are just too good for the Nuggets as they beat the Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.   Game 2 is set for Sunday 7:30ET/4:30PT on TNT.

 

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