The number 1 is special today in the NBA, as it means success for two different reasons.
The Nuggets won Game 1 of their WCF series against the Lakers, while the Spurs were awarded the No. 1 overall pick for this summer’s NBA Draft.
Denver won because of their MVP, Nikola Jokic, who notched yet another triple-double in the postseason. On the other hand, top draft prospect Victor Wembanyama is said to be headed to San Antonio in just a matter of time.
Elsewhere in Philadelphia, the Sixers are looking for a new head coach after sacking Doc Rivers following their Game 7 loss to the Celtics on Sunday.
Learn more about the latest NBA 2023 updates by continuing to read below.
Nuggets gave the Lakers a “punch in the mouth”
If it weren’t for a late push by the Lakers, the Nuggets would’ve won by a larger margin instead of 132-126.
The Nuggets came out hot out of the gate, outscoring the Lakers 37-25 in the first period. They led by as many as 21, but the Lakers pulled within three points in the final period.
One main reason why the Nuggets jumped out to a big lead is because of their effort on the glass, as Jokic collected six offencive rebounds in the first quarter alone, which is equal to the Lakers as a whole. In fact, after the second quarter, Jokic outrebounded the entire Lakers squad, 16-13.
On the offencive end, Jokic attacked Anthony Davis, who is widely regarded as one of the best defencive players in the world today. The two-time MVP did his damage from the elbow, at the low block, and even from three-point range.
By the end of the third period, Jokic had 31 points, 19 rebounds, and 12 assists. However, he was held to only three points in the final canto because of a key adjustment from the Lakers.
Davis was no longer Jokic’s primary defender, as Lakers coach Darvin Ham placed Rui Hachimura on the two-time MVP. This means that AD can roam as the last line of defence, so he can bother Jokic once he gets by Hachimura.
Jokic’s scoring production was stalled, but he did just enough to secure the victory, including an assist to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who made a layup with 1:53 to go to extend their lead to five.
The Lakers cut it back to three again, but Jamal Murray’s clutch steal and alley-oop to Aaron Gordon, as well as Jokic’s late free throws, sealed the game.
Jokic was not the only one who produced for Denver, as four other Nuggets scored in double digits, with Jamal Murray being their second-leading scorer with 31.
Anthony Davis had 40 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, while LeBron James almost recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.
Rivers becomes the latest coaching casualty
After three seasons at the helm, Doc Rivers was relieved of his head coaching duties in Philadelphia, where he has a 154-82 regular-season record and a 20-15 postseason record.
A deep playoff run has largely evaded Rivers during his time in Philly, as they’ve lost in the ECSF in each year he was there. The last time he made it to the Conference Finals was in 2010 with the Celtics. Rivers joins a growing list of head coaches to have been fired recently, including Nick Nurse, Mike Budenholzer, and Monty Williams.
Spurs win the Wembanyama sweepstakes
For the third time in franchise history, the Spurs are about to get their franchise big man in the NBA Draft, as they got yet another lucky lottery bounce on Tuesday.
David Robinson (1987) and Tim Duncan (1997) both had stellar NBA careers, and they’re hoping that the same goes for Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama is the obvious pick here, and he has become the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James in 2003. He is such a unique player because he plays like a forward while standing at 7-foot-5.
The 19-year-old center played for the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans in the French League this year, and he finished with averages of 22 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks per game to win league MVP.
The SBOTOP NBA 2023 odds had the Spurs, along with the Pistons and Rockets, tied for the highest lottery chance at 14-per cent. The Pistons slid to fifth, while the Rockets were placed in fourth, and the Spurs were picked over the Blazers (3rd) and the Hornets (2nd), much to owner Peter J. Holt’s delight.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
