Three takeaways from Nuggets starting fast, hanging on to beat Lakers in Game 1

For the better part of three quarters, it looked like the Denver Nuggets were going to make a statement with a blowout win. They didn’t, they barely hung on.

In the final minutes, it looked like the Lakers were going to steal Game 1 on the road. They didn’t, coming up just short.

Both sides exit Game 1 of the Western Conference finals with positives and some things to work on, but only the Nuggets left with a win at home, 132-126. Game 2 is Thursday night in Denver.

Here are three takeaways from Game 1.

The Denver Nuggets came out of the locker room playing with the force and determination of title contenders: Their offense looked crisp running through Nikola Jokić, players and the ball moved, they defended well enough and they got out in transition every chance they could. Denver was aggressive and looked like a team trying to make a statement as their lead ballooned to 21.

AG throws it down