Lakers clinch NBA Finals berth after ousting Denver

The Lakers went berserk late in the fourth quarter, going on a deciding 12-4 run to pull away from the Nuggets. (File Photo by Ramiro Pianarosa on Unsplash)

MANILA – The Los Angeles Lakers clinched the first seat in the National Basketball Association Finals after knocking out the Denver Nuggets, 117-107, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando on Sunday (Philippine Time).

The Lakers went berserk late in the fourth quarter, going on a deciding 12-4 run to pull away from the Nuggets.

LeBron James made 14 of his 38 points in the pivotal final frame while adding 16 rebounds and 10 assists for the Lakers, who won their best-of-seven series, 4-1.

Anthony Davis added 27 points, five rebounds, three assists, one block, and two steals.

Jerami Grant and Nikola Jokic each scored 20 markers for the Nuggets, whose historic playoff run that saw them coming back from 1-3 deficits twice to steal a series came to an end.

The Lakers will meet either the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Miami, up 3-2 against Boston, has another chance at clinching the Eastern Conference title on Monday (Philippine Time).