LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals with a 117-107 victory over Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday. The Nuggets made a brave attempt, but were unable to overcome a third straight 3-1 series loss.
James was scheduled all night to get consistently high-percentage baskets on his team, reach shore and go to the free throw line, and he took the full stretch to send nuggets packing. His co-star Anthony Davis faced foul trouble in the first half, but the Lakers thrived in the second half, thwarting Denver’s comeback bid.
The Nuggets were unable to get into the rhythm in the first half due to further mishap to Nigola Jokic and injury to Jamal Murray, which made it less than 100 per cent. True to form, the Nuggets cut the Lakers’ 10-point halftime lead to just three before starting the fourth quarter, but they were unable to reproduce the Verika they had reached at this point.
The Lakers now hold the franchise’s 17th NBA title, and will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Conference final series between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics.
