The defending champion Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 to take a 1-0 lead in the first round series of the NBA Playoffs.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic scored 32 points and helped his team overcome a narrow halftime deficit to win.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 120-95.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers won.
The Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 111-104, and the Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic 97-83.
Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson each led the Knicks with 22 points, and the No. 2 seed responded to Philadelphia's third-quarter surge and pulled ahead late to seal the victory.
The Cavaliers never lagged behind the Magic with an impressive performance, with Donavon Mitchell scoring 30 points.
The Nuggets beat the Lakers in every game of the regular season, but started late but took control with a 13-0 run in the third quarter.
The Lakers threatened a late comeback with Anthony Davis scoring 32 points and LeBron James adding 27 points, but Denver held firm.
The Suns won all three regular season games against the Timberwolves, but the hosts turned things around in Game 1 of the playoffs with Anthony Edwards scoring 33 points.
Suns star Kevin Durant scored 31 points, but the team faltered significantly in the third quarter, with Edwards taunting Durant after taking a 3-point shot.
