Nikola Jokic led defending NBA champions Denver past the Los Angeles Lakers with 32 points and 12 rebounds in their Western Conference playoffs series opener, winning 114-103.
Jamal Murray (22 points, 10 assists) and Anthony Gordon (12 points, 11 rebounds) also posted double-doubles for the Nuggets, while Michael Porter Jr. had 19 points and eight boards.
LeBron James scored 27 points for the Lakers, and Anthony Davis added 32 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as the Lakers lost to the Nuggets for the ninth consecutive time.
In another Western Conference matchup, Minnesota dominated Phoenix 120-95, with Anthony Edwards leading the Timberwolves with 33 points and nine rebounds.
Kevin Durant scored 31 points for the Suns, but they were outmatched by the Timberwolves in depth and size.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart each scored 22 points for the Knicks in their 111-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference first-round opener.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 30 points in their 97-83 win over Orlando in the other Eastern Conference game 1.
Australian veteran Joe Ingles played 15 minutes off the bench for Orlando, contributing two assists, four rebounds, and a steal.
