On Monday night at Ball Arena, the Denver Nuggets stunneԀ the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99 to claim a commanding 2-0 series lead after Jamal Murray struck a buzzer-beаter that helped them overcome a 20-point deficit.
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Including a 20-point lead early in the third quarter, the Lakers dominated the remainder of the contest. However, the defending champions, as they inevitably do, rose from the mat and mounted a comeback to reduce the deficit to 10 points heading into the fourth quarter.
A little over a minute later, the Nuggets tied the game on the bench of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Murray was given the opportunity to complete the recovery when LeBron James failed to make a three-point attempt with 16 seconds remaining after both teams had exchanged baskets.
Anthony Davis recorded a game-high 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lakers. Having been informed earlier in the day that he had not been chosen as a finalist for the NBA’s annual Defensive Player of the Year Award for this season, he spent the entire night with a grudge on his shoulder. Davis began the contest with a 14-of-15 field goal percentage.
Although Davis delivered a stellar performance, he was eclipsed by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. “The Jоker” recorded a triple-double with twenty-seven points, ten assists, and twenty rebounds. Murray finished with 20 points, but his buzzer-beаter was the largest.
In contrast to Game 1, the Lakers received assistance from their secondary players in Game 2.
Saturday in Game 1, D’Angelo Russell, who set a Lakers single-season record for three-pointers this year, performed poorly from beyond the arc, going 1-for-9.
In Game 2, Russell was red-hоt from deep. He began the game 6-for-6 from long range and concluded with 23 points.
Game 2 commenced in the same manner as the opener on Saturday. The Lakers established a double-digit lead late in the game due to their rapid start. Early in the third quarter, they increased their lead to 20 points before the defending champions rallied and responded.
Midway through the third quarter, Denver reduced the lead to single digits with an 11-0 run.
LeBron James halted the hemorrhage with consecutive three-pointers with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, as they reduced the deficit to two points.
