Nuggets Stomp Lakers In Season Opener
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 119-107, at Ball Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Nuggets (1-0) got out to a dominant start and led, 34-20, after one quarter. The Lakers (0-1) grabbed a hold of the momentum in the second and managed to trim it back to a nine-point game by halftime. The Nuggets reclaimed control early in the third and pushed their lead to 16 points, before the Lakers rallied back to make it a seven-point game heading into the final quarter. The visitors kept pressing and made it a three-point game early in the fourth, but the Nuggets kept their focus and rallied to another double-digit advantage on their way to their first win of the season.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block, in 36 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 21 points, two rebounds, six assists and a block, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20 points, two rebounds, three steals and a block. The Nuggets shot 52.7 percent from the field, including 14-of-34 from long range.
Meanwhile, LeBron James led the Lakers with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 29 minutes. Taurean Prince followed up with 18 points, three rebounds and a block, while Anthony Davis added 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks. The Lakers shot 45.6 percent from the field, including 10-of-29 from deep.
Up next for the Nuggets is a meeting with the Grizzlies in Memphis on Friday. The Lakers clash with the Suns on Thursday.
The Nuggets (1-0) got out to a dominant start and led, 34-20, after one quarter. The Lakers (0-1) grabbed a hold of the momentum in the second and managed to trim it back to a nine-point game by halftime. The Nuggets reclaimed control early in the third and pushed their lead to 16 points, before the Lakers rallied back to make it a seven-point game heading into the final quarter. The visitors kept pressing and made it a three-point game early in the fourth, but the Nuggets kept their focus and rallied to another double-digit advantage on their way to their first win of the season.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block, in 36 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 21 points, two rebounds, six assists and a block, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20 points, two rebounds, three steals and a block. The Nuggets shot 52.7 percent from the field, including 14-of-34 from long range.
Meanwhile, LeBron James led the Lakers with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 29 minutes. Taurean Prince followed up with 18 points, three rebounds and a block, while Anthony Davis added 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks. The Lakers shot 45.6 percent from the field, including 10-of-29 from deep.
Up next for the Nuggets is a meeting with the Grizzlies in Memphis on Friday. The Lakers clash with the Suns on Thursday.
Suns Defeat Warriors, 108-104
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 108-104, at Oracle Arena on Tuesday.
This game was full of swings, taking nine ties and 12 lead changes to determine a winner. Golden State actually started the third quarter on a 27-5 run, but Phoenix ripped off an 11-0 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to make things competitive. That run was decisive, with the Suns outscoring the Warriors in the final frame, 28-18. Phoenix shot 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range while holding Golden State to 36 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. The Suns also out-rebounded the Warriors, 68-60.
The Suns (1-0) were led by Devin Booker, collecting 32 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Kevin Durant tallied 18 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Josh Okogie amassed 17 points and five boards, while Jusuf Nurkic had 14 points, 14 rebounds and three assists. Eric Gordon led the bench with 10 points and four boards.
The Warriors (0-1) were led by Stephen Curry, finishing with 27 points and five rebounds. Klay Thompson totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Chris Paul provided 14 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, while Andrew Wiggins scored 10 points. Kevon Looney generated seven points and 11 boards.
On deck for Phoenix is a road matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. As for Golden State, they travel to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday for their next outing.
This game was full of swings, taking nine ties and 12 lead changes to determine a winner. Golden State actually started the third quarter on a 27-5 run, but Phoenix ripped off an 11-0 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to make things competitive. That run was decisive, with the Suns outscoring the Warriors in the final frame, 28-18. Phoenix shot 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range while holding Golden State to 36 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. The Suns also out-rebounded the Warriors, 68-60.
The Suns (1-0) were led by Devin Booker, collecting 32 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Kevin Durant tallied 18 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Josh Okogie amassed 17 points and five boards, while Jusuf Nurkic had 14 points, 14 rebounds and three assists. Eric Gordon led the bench with 10 points and four boards.
The Warriors (0-1) were led by Stephen Curry, finishing with 27 points and five rebounds. Klay Thompson totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Chris Paul provided 14 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, while Andrew Wiggins scored 10 points. Kevon Looney generated seven points and 11 boards.
On deck for Phoenix is a road matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. As for Golden State, they travel to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday for their next outing.