Los Angeles Lakers Eliminate Denver Nuggets After Five Games, 117-107

The LA Lakers are in the NBA Finals following a win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 5, 117-107. This means that the LAL has a realistic chance now to take the title after 10 years.

LeBron James, who was fantastic on the court, isn’t impressed with the conference title at all, and warns that the job is still not done.

“Right now, it doesn’t mean anything unless I get it done,” James said, “I got to get it done. We’re going to enjoy it tonight, as we should, because this is not promised every year.”

The Lakers superstar recorded his 27th triple-double in the playoffs, with 38 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 dimes, shooting 15-for-25 from the field. The purple and gold took over in the second period and had a solid lead throughout that and the third quarter before Denver came back. However, it seems that it was the best from the Nuggets in this clash. LeBron and Davis denied their push, closing the game without any troubles.

Davis had 27 points and five rebounds, presenting a problem for the rivals’ defense, drawing out fouls constantly.

Fouls and controversial officiating once again marked this match, with all three referees making tons of mistakes in the Lakers’ favor. The foul criteria was mostly against the Nuggets, whose best player Nikola Jokic earned three quick fouls in the first half and spent just 8 minutes on the court in that part of the contest. The no.3 seed in the West had scored three points more than the opponents with the Joker in the lineup, and 10 fewer without him.

Denver’s players were very frustrated after the calls, but couldn’t do anything. Paul Millsap, Jamal Murray, and Jokic experienced some odd situations, but we will let you decide whether that was right or not.

When adding that Murray had foot problems, Denver really didn’t have too bright prospects to avoid a loss in this one.

“I have a big bruise on my foot,” Murray explained his problems. “Just hurt me all game. I changed shoes, and that didn’t help. Yeah, I have a bone bruise.”

He would end the night with 19 points and eight assists, in 43 minutes.

“He was banged up. He was injured before, even when I came here [to the bubble late], he was a little bit banged up. … But he’s a dog,” said Jokic about his teammate.

Jerami Grant had 20 with nine boards in 46 minutes, while Joker added 20 with seven rebounds and five assists in just 30 minutes.

Many didn’t expect to see the Nuggets coming this far in these playoffs. Still, they battled their way back after being 1-3 against both the Jazz and the Clippers, writing history and indicating that they have to be counted in potential title candidates in the years to come. If they had equal respect from the refs against the Lakers, things would be much more interesting, that is for sure.

On the other side, the LAL now awaits the better from Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics matchup. James and the boys are fired up and think only about lifting the trophy, which was their fuel since the start of the year and Davis’ arrival.

They are four games away from that, but four very tough and fierce games. The start of the finals depends upon the outcome of Sunday’s game between the Heat and the Celtics.