Nuggets’ two-time MVP wins first battle with Lakers star

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DENVER − One of the most gifted offensive basketball players in the world vs. one of the best defending big men in the world.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic vs. the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis.

This is a two-way battle, too. Davis can put up points, and Jokic is a competent defender.

The anticipated matchup that may determine the outcome of the Western Conference finals exceeded the hype.

Jokic 1, AD 0.

Jokic’s 34 points, 21 rebounds, 14 assists and two blocks were enough to overcome Davis’ 40 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in Denver’s 132-126 victory against Los Angeles in Game 1 Tuesday.

If the start of the series is a harbinger, this series will be competitive, tantalizing, entertaining with the potential to be a classic.

Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the third quarter of Game 1.

Jokic and Davis got it started the right way, especially Jokic, who had 19 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists at halftime.

“We always talk about an aggressive Nikola Jokic is a very effective Nikola Jokic. A hell of a job by him,” Denver coach Michael Malone said.

The Lakers didn’t have many answers for Jokic, who began the game by dominating on the glass and finding open teammates when the Lakers double-teamed him. Then, as the Lakers began adjusting their defense, Jokic unleashed his scoring.

“When he felt there was one-on-one coverage, facing up and getting to the basket and using that understated athleticism to finish in traffic. That was great to see. He’s going to continue to have to do that at a high level,” Malone said.

Jokic’s stat line was just the fourth 30-point, 20-rebound triple-double in NBA playoff history. Jokic has two of them, and Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain each have one.

“I just love playing with Jokic, willing passer, dominant big man down there,” Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said. “Just seeing him do what he do gets everybody else going, as well.”

Caldwell-Pope compared Jokic to LeBron James, saying the only difference is that James jumps higher than Jokic

“That’s really offensive,” Jokic said….

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nikola-jokic-1-anthony-davis-060330700.html?src=rss

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2023-05-17 06:03:30

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