Recap: Denver Nuggets fall behind big early against Los Angeles Lakers but complete incredible comeback and win 101-99
The Los Angeles Lakers gave their absolute best effort in their quest to finally get a win against the Denver Nuggets and had them against the ropes in the third quarter up twenty…but the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic are inevitable. Denver used the last eighteen minutes of the game to completely flip the script and march their way to a Jamal Murray buzzer beating game winner. Anthony Davis had a huge night, LeBron James was his incredible self, D’Angelo Russell actually shot the ball well, and none of it mattered. Denver completes the comeback and puts another incredible chapter in this team’s playoff history.
The defense was much tighter to start game two in comparison to game one. Only Michael Porter Jr. and Russell had points in the first two and a half minutes of the game. Russell was making amends for a poor game one early with three quick threes and the Lakers got an early lead. They kept that lead midway through the quarter with the Nuggets struggling to make shots. Porter accounted for the majority of the Nuggets points as the Lakers lead stretched to ten before Jokic went on a personal 5-0 to force a timeout. He continued to carry Denver’s offense down the stretch and they closed the quarter strong. After the first, L.A. lead 28-24.
The Nuggets opened the second quarter with Jokic on the bench and the Lakers daring anyone other than Murray to score the ball. Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon answered the call and didn’t let the Lakers grow their lead but Russell continued to be hot from outside which kept Denver from overtaking L.A. When Jokic checked back in the Lakers lead was still just four points. AD went to work on offense but the Nuggets continued to keep pace. Jokic fell down going for an offensive rebound and came up grimacing about halfway through the quarter. After that some poor play from Denver (Reggie Jackson was having a rough shift in particular) allowed L.A. to go on a run and get back up by eight. Davis continued to be a force on offense while Jokic looked like his back was bothering him. The Lakers won the close of the quarter as well with the wheels starting to come off Denver a bit with Davis hitting everything. L.A. went to the half leading 59-44.
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