Nuggets take 2-0 lead in WCF behind masterclass from Murray, win 108-103
An ideal microcosm of a sport that proves precisely why it’s inconceivable to depend the Denver Nuggets out, regardless of the place they sit via two or three quarters. Thursday evening, L.A. appeared to have Denver’s quantity for a lot of the competition, leaping out to a lead as massive as 11 and sustaining leads on the half, and after the third quarter. However these leads — 5 and three, respectively — have been hardly large enough, because the fourth quarter belonged to the Nuggets, Jamal Murray particularly.
On the heels of an all-time playoff efficiency from Nikola Jokic in Recreation 1, Murray adopted it up with an epic 37-point outing, scoring 23 of his 37 within the fourth. He missed 12 of his 17 photographs via the primary three quarters, however knocked down all however one in every of his photographs within the fourth. Of these six buckets within the last body, 4 have been triples. Merely put, he was electrical.
Jokic was no slouch, thoughts you. He scored 23 factors, had 17 rebounds, and handed out 12 assists for yet one more ho-hum triple-double. (That’s 13 playoff triple-doubles now, for these preserving observe at dwelling.) It doesn’t fairly examine to his 34-21-14 Recreation 1 outing, however let’s be actual right here: What can?
LeBron James and Austin Reaves each scored 22 for the Lakers, who discover themselves in a two-game gap for the primary time this postseason. Anthony Davis stored his custom of mighty-to-meager going, as he scored 18 after dropping a game-high 40 in Recreation 1. Rui Hachimura, who pundits billed because the potential Jokic stopper after his wonderful defensive efficiency within the fourth quarter of Recreation 1, scored 21 factors off the bench, 17 of which got here within the first half. He didn’t precisely management Jokic, both.
The Nuggets stay an NBA-best at dwelling this season, as they improved to 41-8 on the yr with the win, and are actually 8-0 within the playoffs. The collection, although, shifts to L.A. now, the place the Lakers are additionally 8-0 this postseason.
I mentioned it earlier than and I’ll say it once more: Seven video games, please.
