Western Conference Recaps, May 16: Another Nikola Jokic Has Triple-Double Pushes Nuggets To 1-0 Lead Against Lakers

Nikola Jokic was the star but he had plenty help in the Nuggets win against LeBron James-led Lakers

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is making the triple-double look ordinary in the postseason. 

He had yet one another to lead the Nuggets to a 132-126 victory Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Jokic finished with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists. 

The Nuggets are now three wins shy from their first NBA Finals appearance but they still have a long way to go. They built an 18-point halftime lead before holding off a late run in the fourth quarter. LeBron James missed a 3-pointer that would've tied the game at 129 with 45 seconds left. Jokic then sealed it by making three of four free throws, the final two before another missed James 3-pointer.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 40 points and 10 rebounds while James had 26 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. The duo wasn't enough to withstand the Nuggets' balance. They had six players in double-figures, including Jamal Murray's 31 points.  

The winner of the series meets either the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. 

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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