With a last-second basket, Jamal Murray gives the Denver Nuggets a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers

In Game 2 of a Western Conference first-round playoff series on Monday night, the host Denver Nuggets overcame a 20-point hole to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99 thanks to a step-back jumper by Jamal Murray with seconds remaining.

Denver now leads the series 2-0 after Murray, who had trouble shooting the entire game, dribbled to the baseline and blasted a 16-footer over Anthony Davis’s outstretched hand.

“Nikola Jokic appeared to be hovering about, awaiting my decision. I pretended to be shooting a three or a step-back, but Davis pressed up a little, which allowed me to get into my position,” Murray remarked. “I started to fade a lot, lost my balance, and fell.

I heard everyone yelling, I saw the ball over the rim, and there was someone in my path. I know it went in that way. Very cool.

“To miss nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, I don’t know how many (shots) in a row, and they all told me to keep shooting, and they never lost faith in me to make a shot.” I continued to shoot because of that.

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In front of the bench, teammates surrounded Murray as the sold-out crowd sent his cheers.

Denver coach Michael Malone stated, “For those that have been following us for a long time, that’s Jamal Murray right there.”

Austin Reaves, the guard for the Lakers, stated, “They protected their home court.” “We’ve got to go do the same.”

Murray scored 20 points in the end on 9 of 24 shots, but he made a play in the closing minutes.

After Michael Porter Jr.’s 3-pointer with 1:15 remaining knotted the score, LeBron James’ steal and dunk put Los Angeles ahead 95-92. Murray then took over. In response to Los Angeles baskets, he made two free throws and a 20-footer. With 16.3 seconds remaining, James then missed a 3-pointer, setting the stage for Murray’s heroics.

The Nuggets, who have defeated the Lakers in ten straight games during the regular season and postseason combined, were led by Jokic, who finished with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Porter, who scored 22 points.

Despite only scoring two baskets in the last 22 minutes, Davis finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell finished with 23 points for Los Angeles, making six of his seven 3-pointers in the first half. James finished with 26 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds.

James made two crucial 3-pointers in the middle of the fourth quarter to give the Lakers an 89-81 lead before Denver mounted a comeback. With 2:12 remaining, Jokic made a three-point play to help the Nuggets draw within 93-92.

The Lakers led 59-44 at the half thanks in large part to Davis’ 24 points in the first half. Two minutes into the third quarter, the Lakers led 68-48 thanks to two three-point plays from Davis and a three-pointer from Reaves. However, after taking a 74-55 lead, the Lakers faltered.

While the Nuggets chipped away, Los Angeles went 5:14 without a point, missing eight consecutive attempts and turning the ball over three times. With 2:27 remaining in the third, Jokic’s hook shot completed a 10-0 run that put the score at 74-65.

79-69 was the Lakers’ lead going into the fourth.

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