Nikola Jokic grabs triple-double as Denver Nuggets beat LA Lakers in NBA season opener
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Serbian star Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists – his 106th career triple – as Denver showcased their formidable all-round offensive power once more.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LOS ANGELES – Nikola Jokic delivered a dominant triple-double performance, as the Denver Nuggets launched the defence of their National Basketball Association (NBA) championship crown with a season-opening 119-107 victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
The Serbian centre then warned that Denver “have the opportunity” to retain their title this term.
On a night which saw Nuggets players receive their championship rings as the team raised their first banner in franchise history, Denver tipped off the new season with a display which suggested they will once again be one of the teams to beat.
“I think the whole ceremony gave us a boost,” Jokic said after the win. “We didn’t want anything to ruin our night.
“The first half was amazing for us but then we kind of slowed down... But then at the end of the game, we were really good and we won the game.”
The clash at the Ball Arena was a rematch of the Western Conference Finals, which Denver swept 4-0 to reach the NBA Finals, where they emerged victorious against the Miami Heat.
Denver threatened to steamroll the Lakers early on, surging into an 18-point lead at the start of the second quarter as the Lakers struggled to contain two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic and Jamal Murray.
The Lakers, who strengthened their roster during the off-season with the additions of Taurean Prince, Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood among others, fought back during the second half to close the gap to just three points at 92-89 in the fourth quarter.
But Denver once again demonstrated their championship pedigree, pulling away whenever the Lakers appeared to be within striking distance to close out an impressive victory.
Jokic believes the Nuggets have what it takes to challenge for back-to-back titles.
“We have the opportunity,” he told the TNT television network. “You never know what the season’s gonna bring. But our offence was good and our defence was good.
“If we play like this tonight, I think we have a chance. Why not?”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone added: “Last year was amazing. We got one ring. Who wants another? Let’s go get it.”
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone (left) and guard Jamal Murray in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena.
PHOTO: REUTERS
But he warned: “The parity in the NBA is probably at an all-time high. The depth of each conference is tremendous. So you couple the parity with the fact that you’re defending champions or reigning champions, you’re going to get everybody’s best every night.”
Jokic finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists – his 106th career triple-double – as Denver showcased their formidable offensive power once more.
All five Denver starters finished with double-digit point tallies.
Murray posted 21 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20, while Aaron Gordon knocked down 15 and Michael Porter Jr 12.
The Lakers’ scoring was led by James, who finished with 21 points, while new recruit Prince added 18, including four three-pointers.
The 38-year-old James played just 29 minutes and coach Darvin Ham said that was part of the plan moving ahead.
Ham told ESPN: “It’s easy with him to get caught up in the emotion of the game and you tend to forget you want to play these long stretches, but in order for him to be as effective as possible, we have to be mindful of the minute output and how long his stretches are.”
“It’s going to be a day-by-day process, gauging how he’s feeling, get communication from him, our training staff, our medical staff.”
James added: “ I always want to be on the floor. Especially when you got an opportunity to win a game or you feel like you can make an impact. But this is the system in place and I’m going to follow it.”
Anthony Davis finished with 17 points – all in the first two quarters – but faded badly in the second half.
He told ESPN: “They started double-teaming. They were trying to crowd the paint. I missed some easy lay-ups around the rim and little jumpers.
“Just trying to make the right play, give it up to our guys. If I’m doubled, kick it out. Rui (Hachimura) had an open three, Gabe had open threes. They just didn’t fall. But I got to shoot it more.”
Austin Reaves (14) and D’Angelo Russell (11) also got into double figures for the Lakers. AFP
