A 6-1 file in elimination video games says quite a bit a few group. It calls to thoughts a number of nights of lengthy odds and demented comebacks, and crafts a fame as a “powerful out,” to say the least. Nevertheless it additionally means the magic finally got here to an finish.

That was the destiny of the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, and with it comes the Los Angeles Lakers’ first journey to the NBA Finals for the reason that the final time Kobe Bryant hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2010.

LeBron James’ triple-double leads the best way

After a one-season hiatus, LeBron James is again within the NBA Finals for the ninth time within the final 10 years. Getting there required a 38-point triple double towards the ravenous Nuggets. On the receiving finish of three of these was Anthony Davis (27 factors), together with this full-court magnificence.

That was the blueprint the Lakers drew up greater than a yr in the past after they acquired Davis at the price of a number of younger property, and the transfer clearly labored out. Davis is headed to the primary NBA Finals of his profession, and not less than one among him and James posted greater than 30 video games in each recreation this collection.

The Lakers will now await the Japanese Convention finals to play out to seek out out their Finals opponent. The Miami Warmth at the moment maintain a 3-2 collection lead over the Boston Celtics.

An excessive amount of to beat for Nuggets

Say this for the Nuggets, it actually regarded like historical past was repeating within the second half. A foul and heated confrontation between Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap (sound acquainted?) was the start line of run that took Denver from down 80-69 to tied at 84-84 within the closing seconds of the third quarter.

The narrative of historical past repeating was tantalizing, however the Nuggets’ surge would fade within the fourth quarter. Dominance from James and Davis, renewed defensive depth from the Lakers, some questionable calls down the stretch, foul hassle for Nikola Jokic and a proper knee contusion for Jamal Murray shaped a wall that not even the Nuggets might break by.

Murray, who entered Saturday averaging 32.7 factors per recreation in elimination video games, completed with solely 19 factors. Jokic picked up his third foul early within the second quarter and performed solely eight minutes within the first half.

This was a culture-defining run for the Nuggets, one which justified Jokic and Murray because the Nuggets’ core, however a five-game collection loss might imply they nonetheless have one other step to take earlier than discovering the promised land.

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