If there were any doubt that the Nuggets truly had the L.A. Lakers card the Nuggets put it to rest on Monday night. Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray was credited with the game winning shot for the second time in the series. The Lakers came into Denver with a renewed confidence after defeating the Denver Nuggets for the first time in twelve games over the weekend in game four.
Monday night’s game was the most competitive of the five games played, with the Lakers trying to hold on from elimination. The Lakers lead the Nuggets at the half in every game in the series and even led Denver in total minutes with the lead at 2-1. Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. led all Nuggets with 33 and 27 points while Jamal Murray ended the night with 22.
Lebron James and Anthony Davis chalked up 30 and 25 points while Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell both added 21 each. Denver Nuggets forward, Aaron Gordon had quite possibly the most important rebound with just over a minute to play when Jamal Murray missed a three-pointer and Gordon rebounded over Lebron James and kicked the ball back out to Murray for a second-chance three which he hit giving Denver a two point lead.
The Lakers tied up the game on the other end of the court on a couple free-throws but with the ball in Murray’s hands on the last possession ended up being too much for L.A. in the end.
The Nuggets will now face the Minnesota Timberwolves who eliminated the Phoenix Suns in four games. Last season the Nuggets eliminated the Timberwolves in five to advance to the Conference Semi-Finals where they beat the Lakers to advance to the Finals.
The Colorado Avalanche have a chance to advance to the next round if they can defeat the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday (results of the game not available at the time of this writing).
If Colorado can defeat Winnipeg they will meet up with winner of the Dallas Stars and the Las Vegas Golden Knights series, which is currently tied at 2 apiece.
The Denver Broncos finished this year’s draft with some pretty good pieces to build on but was it enough? On Thursday night the first round of the draft took place in Detroit Michigan, where the Denver Broncos drafted Oregon quarterback, Bo Nix. The Broncos were drug by critics for drafting Nix so high but fans seem to be jovial over their new quarterback.
The Broncos didn’t pick again until round three, where they picked up Utah outside linebacker Jonah Elliss which to some might be a head scratcher considering Denver’s current pass rusher room. Regardless, the pick is a good overall pick for a team that has hit the rebuild button.
The Broncos then went and reunited Bo Nix with his top college receiver, Troy Franklin who had fallen nearly 25 spots from his projected draft spot. In round five the Broncos picked up a cornerback in Kris Abrams-Draine from Missouri. Abrams showed excitement for a potential chance to play opposite of Pat Surtain II.
Two picks later the Broncos drafted running back and fighting Irishman, Audric Estimé who’s highlight film is mostly film of him trucking defensive lineman and d-backs while running north and south. The Broncos added another wide receiver in the seventh round when they drafted DeVaughn Velle also from Utah. Denver’s last draft pick was of offensive lineman Nick Garguilo of South Carolina.
