LOS ANGELES – Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. formed a 1-2 scoring punch that proved too much for the host Lakers on Saturday night (Sunday AM Manila time).
The 3-time league MVP powered through with 34 points on a scorching 12-of-20 shooting from the field. Porter Jr. added 24 and 11 rebounds as the Nuggets improved to 9-7 and climbed to eighth-place in a very crowded Western Conference field following an impressive 127-105 romp.
Trailing 63-57 at the half, Denver went into high gear in the thrd quarter with a 37-15 run that stunned the Lakers’ ‘home crowd of 18,997 at the Crypto.com Arena. Despite having the seized z 94-78 upperhand entering the fourth quarter, the Nuggets didn’t let-up and delivered a 33-24 finishing kick.
Four other Nuggets scored in double figures with Christian Braun finishing with 16 while Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook each had 14. Peyton added 11 for the Nuggets who shot a high 61 percent from the field (50-82).
Lakers head coach JJ Redick lamented his team’s effort after the team fell to 10-6.
“Schematically, certainly, we’ll have to review some stuff. Clearly, the spirit to compete just wasn’t there,” the former player and TV broadcaster told reporters.
“We’ll solve it like we solve other problems,” Redick added when asked how the seeming lack of effort will be addressed.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 34 points,16 rebounds and 10 assists by the dynamic duo only connected on 13 of their 36 field goals. The Lakers,as a whole, hit just 39-of-88 shots (44.3 percent) and 13-of-36 threes (26.1 percent).
