If the Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 1 win in the NBA Western Conference finals is any indication, the Denver Nuggets are in for another tough ride.

The Lakers marked their conference finals return with a 126-114 drubbing of the Nuggets to draw first blood in the best-of-seven series on Friday, September 18 (Saturday, September 19, Manila time).

With LeBron James taking the back seat offensively, Anthony Davis starred with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists for the Lakers, who are seeing action in the conference finals for the first time since 2010.

“We haven’t done anything special,” Davis said. “We basically took care of home court. We have 3 more to go.”

Down 36-38 after the opening period, the Lakers turned the tides in the middle quarters as they outscored the Nuggets 67-41 to go into the last frame sitting on a comfortable 103-79 cushion.

The Nuggets showed signs of life in the final quarter, but the lead the Lakers built proved too much to overcome.

James finished with 15 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds in the win, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 18 points, while Dwight Howard added 13 points, 2 steals, and 2 blocks off the bench.

Kyle Kuzma chipped in 11 points for the Lakers.

Nikola Jokic paced the Nuggets with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Jamal Murray delivered 21 points and 5 assists. – Rappler.com