Davis, Lakers beat Nuggets to take 3-1 lead in West finals
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Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in Orlando, Florida, September 24, 2020. /VCG

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in Orlando, Florida, September 24, 2020. /VCG

Anthony Davis scored a game-high 34 points, LeBron James added 26 and the Los Angeles Lakers never lost the lead over the final three quarters Thursday night en route to a 114-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. 

The top-seeded Lakers hold a 3-1 lead in the series and are within one win of the NBA Finals. Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday, when the Lakers can reach the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade. 

Jamal Murray paced the Nuggets with 32 points and eight assists, but he misfired on all three of his 3-point attempts. 

After losing for the first time in the series on Tuesday, the Lakers led by 10 points in the first quarter, 12 in the second and 11 in the third before the Nuggets rallied within 87-86 on a pair of free throws by Monte Morris with 11:14 remaining in the game. 

Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in Orlando, Florida, September 24, 2020. /VCG

Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in Orlando, Florida, September 24, 2020. /VCG

"He's a helluva player," James said before leaving the court, about the challenge of guarding Murray in the fourth quarter.  "I just wanted to take the challenge. He's a tough guard. Just using my athleticism and also just being smart. I've been at this a long time.” 

"I appreciate the respect," Murray said about being guarded by James, "but we didn't win the game." 

Meanwhile, the third-seeded Nuggets find themselves in familiar territory facing a 3-1 deficit. They also trailed the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers 3-1 in their first two rounds before stunning each with three-game turnarounds to move on. 

The Lakers have 16 championships, one behind Boston for the most in NBA history, but they haven't played for one since winning their most recent title in 2010. 

(With input from agencies)