LOS ANGELES — — Nikola Jokic scored 34 factors and Michael Porter Jr. added 24 because the Denver Nuggets used a robust second half to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 127-102 on Saturday evening.

Russell Westbrook had 14 factors, 11 assists and 7 rebounds for Denver towards his former workforce.

Austin Reaves scored 19 factors and LeBron James added 18 for the Lakers, who misplaced consecutive residence video games after beginning the season 7-0 at residence. Rui Hachimura, again within the beginning lineup after missed the earlier 5 video games with a left ankle sprain, scored 10 factors in 22 minutes.

It was the groups’ first assembly because the Nuggets beat the Lakers within the first spherical of the playoffs earlier this 12 months. Denver additionally swept them within the Western Convention last the earlier 12 months.

Denver trailed by six factors at halftime however outscored Los Angeles 37-15 within the third quarter and 70-39 for the second half whereas dominating inside and out of doors.

Takeaways

Lakers: The Lakers led 63-57 at halftime and let the sport get away from them in a lackluster third quarter. It reveals they nonetheless have a lot work to do to get out from Denver’s management.

Nuggets: Even in taking part in on the second of a back-to-back and touring, Denver nonetheless had the legs for long-range photographs. Denver was 16 for 32 on 3-pointers.

Key second

Westbrook had a putback dunk on the finish of the third quarter to place the ending touches on an authoritative quarter and prolong the result in 94-77. Westbrook then twirled his arms round emphatically in celebration as he ran again down the ground.

Key stat

The Nuggets outscored the Lakers 20-4 within the paint within the third quarter.Jokic had 9 factors within the pivotal third during which Denver scored 37 factors.

Up Subsequent

Nuggets host the New York Knicks on Monday, and Lakers go to Phoenix to open a street back-to-back.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba