The Denver Nuggets are still on course to repeat as NBA Champions.

It comes after they battled to a closely contested 108-106 game 5 win over the Los Angeles Lakers to claim  4-1 first-round series victory to cement a place in the Western Conference semi-finals.

Leading the way was Jamal Murray who overcame a strained left calf, to score a game-high 32 points……including the game winner with 3.6 seconds remaining.

Also contributing for the nuggets was two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who narrowly missed out on a 19th playoff triple-double with 25 points, 20 rebounds and 9 assists and Michael porter junior who scored 26.

For the Lakers, Lebron james who was suffering his earliest playoff exit…..had 30 points and 11 assists while anthony davis had 17 points and 15 rebounds.

The Nuggets now advance to face the Minnesota timberwolves in the second round starting next weekend. 

That series begins in Denver, where the Nuggets are a conference-best 36-8, including 3-and-o in the playoffs..

Also advancing was Oklahoma City Thunder who ran out 97-89 winners over New Orleans to complete a 4-nil series sweep while Boston Celtics eased to a 102-88 win on the road against Miami to take a 3-1 lead.