At 1-0 in favor of NuggetsTHE Lakers know that they will have to be close to perfection to take a match from the reigning champions, and even more so away.
The problem is that Los Angeles never manages to play a full 48 minutes against Denver and, once again, there was a collapse in the “money-time” against Nikola Jokic (27 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists), Michael Porter Jr. (22 points, 9 rebounds) and above all Jamal Murray (20 points, 5 assists), author of the “game-winner” at the buzzer to finish Anthony Davis (32 points, 11 rebounds), LeBron James (26 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds) and D'Angelo Russell (23 points, 6 assists).
The Lakers attack hard…
As in Game 1, the Lakers enter their game well, with D'Angelo Russell in particular punishing from 3-point range and a defense in place, around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. An “AD” who does not fail to respond to Nikola Jokic who is trying as best he can to bring the Nuggets back into contact, while Jamal Murray is not in for the moment (28-24).
This same Russell/Davis tandem continues to punish from afar as well as up close in the second quarter, and it is mainly Anthony Davis who dismantles Denver in the paint, in order to increase the gap beyond the ten units. Despite Michael Porter Jr. who continues to take great pleasure in punishing Los Angeles from long distance, and fortunately for the reigning champions (59-44).
After the break, with LeBron James at the helm and Anthony Davis at the conclusion (already 32 points after 29 minutes…), the Lakers reached the 20-point lead. As always, Michael Porter Jr. and especially Nikola Jokic are doing what is necessary to limit the damage, but that is not really enough, because collectively, the Californians are in a good rhythm and are accumulating internal and external successes, almost on command. We still have to hold on now, while the attack stalled somewhat at the end (79-69).
…but the Nuggets finish stronger
As is often the case in confrontations between these two teams, the last quarter saw Denver gradually gain the upper hand without panicking, executing its game plan wonderfully. Los Angeles is trying at all costs to slow down the pace so as not to be won over by the madness of the Ball Arena, but the gap is tirelessly narrowing, under the onslaught of Nikola Jokic and a Jamal Murray who is finally getting going .
Despite LeBron James giving some air at 3-points, the Angelenos' attack no longer manages to be effective, because it lacks movement and goes too much into isolation. Obviously, the reigning champions end up equalizing with Michael Porter Jr. two minutes from the end…
LeBron James and D'Angelo Russell are trying to keep the Lakers afloat as much as possible, but Jamal Murray is also very comfortable in this “money-time” and, finally, after a last isolation against Anthony Davis on the on the right, the Canadian leader rises from mid-distance and defeats the “Purple & Gold” at the buzzer (101-99)! Denver hadn't been in front since… the very beginning of the first quarter, but it was still enough to win and lead 2-0 in this series!
TO REMEMBER
– And in the end, it's ALWAYS Denver who wins. It has been now ten consecutive victories for the Nuggets against the Lakers and, of these ten successes, more than half were most likely snatched in the last five minutes, while the reigning champions suffered the law of “Purple & Gold” for three-quarters of the match. Except that the latter were never able to finish them off when necessary and this was once again seen last night, while Nikola Jokic and especially Jamal Murray are never better than under pressure. The last act demonstrated it!
– Los Angeles STILL unable to conclude. The Lakers did what was necessary for three quarters but, once it was time for the fourth, they completely stopped playing offense, relying on isolations, forgetting Anthony Davis inside and counting only on the exploits of LeBron James or D'Angelo Russell to score. Largely insufficient against the Nuggets who know exactly where to strike, with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray obviously. Mentally, it's a real blow that still falls on the heads of Darvin Ham's men, who will now have to protect their ground.
– Jamal Murray wakes up at the right time. Unable to find rhythm and skill for three quarters, Jamal Murray waited until the fourth to find some color, to the great joy of the Nuggets. Author of 14 points in the period, but above all of this “game-winner” on Anthony Davis which will make history, the Canadian leader definitely loves playing the executioners of these Lakers without response in front of him, when he activates the “on” mode. Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. held the house for forty minutes, but Murray took charge in the money-time and Denver can breathe with the 2-0 in their pocket.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
