The defending champions Nuggets overcame their first challenge as they look to repeat.
Denver held steady and extinguished the Lakers’ hopes of becoming the first team to come back down 3-0 as they downed Los Angeles 108-106 in Game 5 of their Round 1 series on Monday.
It may not have been the most convincing first-round win as the Nuggets were down for much of the five-game set, but game after game they managed to pull out the win. Jamal Murray, of Kitchener, Ont., led the way with 32 points including the game-winner with less than four seconds to play.
The Nuggets are now set to take on the Timberwolves in the second round after Minnesota completed their sweep of the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have questions to address this off-season as this may have been LeBron James’ final game in purple and yellow. He could potentially become a free agent this summer as he has a player option for next season. There’s no word on whether or not he declines it to test the market at age 39.
More to come.
