LeBron James dazzled as the Los Angeles Lakers makes way to the NBA Finals after a 117-107 win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
The Nuggets tried all they could but were unable to overcome a third straight 3-1 series deficit.
LeBron James bullied his way to the rim and to the free-throw line consistently and finished with 38 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists to get his team high-percentage baskets.
He took over absolutely in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points to send the Nuggets packing while his co-star Anthony Davis battled first-half foul trouble but still managed to put up 27 points on 8-for-16 shooting as the Lakers thwarted Denver’s second-half comeback bid.
Watch Game 5 highlights below
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The Nuggets were unable to get into a rhythm in the first half due to more foul trouble for Nikola Jokic and an injury to Jamal Murray.
Murray, down the stretch, appeared to be less than 100 per cent but still the Nuggets who seem to be in form cut the Lakers’ 10-point halftime lead to just three to start the fourth quarter, but they were unable to reproduce the heroics that got them to this point.
Jokic and Jerami Grant led the Nuggets with 20 points apiece, with Murray chipping in 19 on 7-for-17 shooting.
The Lakers, having made the NBA finals now seek the franchise’s 17th NBA title and will meet the winner of the Eastern Conference finals series between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.
Game leaders
Denver Nuggets
- Points: Jokic/Grant – 20
- Assists: Jamal Murray – 8
- Rebounds: Jerami Grant – 9
Los Angeles Lakers
- Points: LeBron James – 38
- Assists: LeBron James – 10
- Rebounds: LeBron James – 16
Lakers win best-of-seven series 4-1 and advance to NBA Finals
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