Lakers blow 20-point lead in Game 2 loss to Nuggets
DENVER–The Lakers did all they could, but in the end, Los Angeles’ kryptonite triumphed, coming back down 20 with a storybook game-winning shot from Nuggets Jamal Murray in Game 2.
“We gave up a 20-point, and that’s unfortunate. But 20-point leads in this league is not safe, especially against the defending champions. We got to do better. We had our chances,” LeBron James said.
With the game tied at 99-all in the final seconds, the Lakers had a chance to take the lead after a back-and-forth affair in the final minutes, with an open three from James rattling in and out. The next and final possession was in the hands of Nuggets point guard Murray, who had made the previous four points for Denver. Murray would get the switch with Lakers Anthony Davis on him, hitting the game-winning stepback shot over the big man—lifting Denver to a 101-99 win.
The Lakers now head home for Game 3 down 0-2 in the series, making it L.A.’s tenth straight loss to the Nuggets.
Just like in Game 1’s loss, a quick punch from the jump gave the Lakers early control and a commanding six-point lead. This momentum from L.A. continued to a 28-24 edge at the end of the first quarter and broke through in the second—outscoring Denver 31-20, leading to a 15-point advantage (59-44) at halftime.
The Lakers' strong start was behind a near-perfect scoring stretch from bigman Anthony Davis and a bounce-back game from D’Angelo Russell. After missing his first shot attempt, Davis made 14 straight buckets that broke in the third quarter. Russell, who had a nightmarish shooting slump in Game 1, started hot from three with three consecutive triples.
Russell provided a solid scoring presence for the Lakers, sinking multiple threes when they needed them most. He ended with 23 points, shooting 7-for-11 from beyond the arc.
The Nuggets momentum changed once Davis was called for his fourth foul in the third quarter. Forcing L.A. to switch forward Rui Hachimura on Denver’s star Nikola Jokić. Jokic would take full advantage of the mismatch, outweighing the Japanese native by 50 pounds.
During the switch of momentum, the Lakers went scoreless for over three minutes. The Nuggets outscored the Lakers 57-40 in the entire second half, with L.A. having spurts of confusion and lack of execution within the stretch.
"We have stretches where we don't know what we're doing on both ends of the floor,” Davis said. “Just got to get it right on Thursday [in Game 3]."
Despite his strong start, Davis would go scoreless in the fourth quarter, finishing with 32 points and 11 rebounds on 14-for-19 finishing from the floor.
James, who finished with 26 points and 12 assists, was critical of the officiating surrounding the replay system, which ultimately took away two free throws from Russell, whose shooting foul call was reversed after review.
"I don't understand what's going on in the replay center, to be honest. DLo clearly gets hit on the face in the drive,” James said. “It makes no sense to me.”
On the pivotal play, Russell attempted a left-handed layup and drew a foul from Denver's forward Michael Porter Jr., who made contact with his arm on Russell's head with his arm going down for the block. The officials deemed Porter's contact with Russell 'marginal,' leading to a reversal of the initial call.
Russell echoed James' criticism, saying there were "questionable calls" in the game but adding that he likes where they’re at heading into Game 3.
Game 3 will be in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m. PST.
