The Los Angeles Lakers’ 10th consecutive defeat by the Denver Nuggets was made especially heartbreaking by Jamal Murray.
Denver’s first-round series in opposition to Los Angeles is now 2-0 after Murray’s step-back jumper against Anthony Davis at the buzzer gave the reigning champions a 101-99 home win on Monday, erasing a 20-point deficit.
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When LeBron James of the Lakers missed a three-point attempt with 20 seconds remaining and the score was tied at 99, the Nuggets grabbed a defensive position rebound and decided not to use a time out. Murray intentionally advanced the ball up onto the floor with Denver’s intention of making the final shot of regulation. He then used Nikola Jokic’s screen to clear the court towards Davis on the opposite side.
Murray sprang forward and braked hard with three seconds remaining, preparing a fallaway shooter to the right that moved through as time ran out. As soon as the 27-year-old guard collided with the Nuggets bench, his teammates surrounded him.
“I pretended to shoot a three-pointer or perform a step-back move or something similar, and then Davis slightly pressed up,” Murray remarked. “I was able to improve myself and succeed because I simply arrived at my location before him. I leaped fairly high and lost a lot of height. I stumbled and fell. The ball was just above the rim, as I saw. It seems like [Davis] or someone else got in my way. All I could hear was screams, so I knew it had gone in. That was a really cool experience.
With ten minutes left in the third quarter, Denver trailed 68-48, a 20-point deficit, but the legendary shot sealed a stunning comeback for the team. With 32 points (on 14-for-19 shooting) as well as 11 rebounds, Davis gave the Lakers an early lead. However, in the third quarter, he committed his fourth foul, which fueled the Nuggets’ comeback.
Michael Malone, the coach of the Nuggets, expressed his displeasure with the way his team left the field at halftime. It seemed to me that we were a touch self-pitying. They kicked our ass when they first walked in. We gave up. Our attitude and spirit didn’t set well with me. At halftime, I told them, ‘There’s plenty of basketball left. This business is amusing. That was done by our guys. This was a total team victory. We are the current champions. Even if we fall behind by 20 points, we won’t give up.
12 of James’ 26 points came in the last seven minutes of play as he tried his hardest to keep the Nuggets at bay. With only two minutes left, the four-time MVP gave the Lakers a three-point lead after converting a steal into a transition slam. He also made two three-pointers during that stretch.
“It’s disappointing that we lost a 20-point lead, but in this league, especially against the reigning champions, 20-point leads are not safe,” James remarked. “We need to improve on that. We had opportunities.
A playback review that favoured the Lakers during the closing seconds of the subsequent quarter was the main cause of James’s postgame annoyance. As Russell drove towards the hoop, Michael Porter Jr. struck a swipe at his head and Russell was called for a foul. Malone, however, contested the foul call, and the replay centre reversed it, finding that Porter made contact only after Russell had released his unsuccessful driving shot attempt.
To be really honest, James stated, “I have no idea what’s happening in the replay center.” It’s evident that Russell is struck in the face while driving. For what purpose is the replay center there? … I can’t seem to make sense of it. I find it incomprehensible. I find it bothersome.
Murray scored seven points in the last minute of play after shooting 3 for 16 in the first three quarters. Murray’s three-pointer came in response to James’s late burst of points for the Nuggets, which came off of a botched play from Porter. He finished the job with a dagger over Davis after converting two free throws and a midrange jumper. Murray finished the game with 20 points, three rebounds, and five assists after converting six of his eight shots.
Malone remarked, “That’s Jamal Murray right there.” “He can battle, struggle, struggle, but he never backs down from a challenge when he sees one come in. What a fantastic play that was. He arrived at his location. It was fantastic because Jamal was encouraged to stick with it by all of the team members—coaches and players—the entire evening. We are aware of your potential. You are necessary to us.
Jokic ended up to 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. He made numerous clutch baskets as well as assists in the final quarter. Wilt Chamberlain as well as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two Hall of Fame centers, are the only others in NBA history with those kind of stat lines.
The Lakers need to try not to get too worked up with their puzzling outcome and get back together for Game 3 in LA on Thursday. Davis and James both had outstanding games, and guard D’Angelo Russell bounced back after a lacklustre performance in Game 1 with 23 points and seven three-pointers. Additionally, Denver’s three-point shooting performance was just 8 for 34 (23.5%), which was its lowest since March 7.
“Take Game 3,” Davis declared. That’s how easy it is. We’ve demonstrated our superior capability. There are sections of the floor where we simply don’t know what to do. We are at a loss because of those. We have two days to do it correctly.”
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