LOS ANGELES –– Nikola Jokic scored 34 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists; Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets (9-6) to a 127-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers (10-6) Saturday at crypto.com Arena. After opening the season 7-0 at home, Denver handed the Lakers their second consecutive loss.
Denver outscored Los Angeles 64-40 in the paint and used a 20-4 edge in the paint in the third quarter to turn the game.
The Lakers led 63-57 at halftime. The Nuggets outscored the Lakers 37-15 in the third quarter and never relented. Denver used a 70-39 second half to upend Los Angeles.
Austin Reaves scored 19 points to lead the Lakers, and LeBron James scored 18 points.
The Nuggets shot 61 percent from the field and 50 percent (16 for 32) from the three-point line, while Los Angeles shot 36 percent (13 for 36) from deep.
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Denver will host the Knicks on Monday.
Los Angeles will travel to Phoenix on Monday.