How Murray fueled the Nuggets’ Game 2 victory against the Lakers
NBA Analytics NetworkIt wasn’t easy, but the Denver Nuggets have taken a 2–0 lead against the Los Angeles Lakers…
It wasn’t easy, but the Denver Nuggets have taken a 2–0 lead against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. They needed some heroic performances to win the two games, with Game 2 as NBA star Jamal Murray’s time to shine.
After a brutal first three quarters, Murray found his shot when the team needed it most in the fourth. He threw 23 of his 37 runs in the final stanza and helped the Nuggets secure a 108–103 comeback win.
‘He was special’ said Nikola Jokic. “He actually won the game for us.”
After starting the game 5-for-17, something clicked for Murray in the fourth quarter. He went 6-of-7 during the final 12 minutes of the game, including four 3-pointers that formed the basis of a 15–1 Denver run in the quarter.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
“It would have been a lot easier if I had made them in the first half” Murray said. After making only seven 3-pointers in the first three quarters of the game, Denver threw seven in the fourth alone.
Those are momentum-changing shots, as the Lakers were clearly a little demoralized watching all those brands. It wasn’t like they were wide open shots either, as Murray made some hard ones.
“He made shots at the end of the clock,” complained LeBron James. “We watched for 24 seconds and he took two big shots, one over (Anthony Davis) and one over me. He had his 3-point shot in the fourth inning. It’s no surprise to me, he’s done it before. Sometimes it is an unmissable competition.”
Los Angeles did not lie down as they fought to the end. They cut the lead to three thanks to an Austin Reaves jumper, who followed Murray up with two free throws. The Nuggets iced the game when Bruce Brown stole the ball from James on the ensuing possession.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
It was a performance that got Nuggets head coach Michael Malone excited after the game. Malone is not happy with how this series has been treated in the media, and made it known leading up to and after Game 2.
“You win Game 1 and all everyone was talking about was the Lakers,” said Malone. “Let’s face it, the national narrative was, ‘Hey, the Lakers are fine. They’re 1–0 down, but they’ve figured something out.” No one was talking about Nikola just having a historic performance. He now has 13 (playoff) triple-doubles, third all-time. What he does is just incredible.
“But their story wasn’t about the Nuggets. The story was not about Nikola. The story was about the Lakers and their adjustments. So you know, you put that in your pipe and you smoke it, you come back and you know what, we go up 2–0.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Nuggets franchise has never been closer to the NBA Finals. But there is still plenty of work to do as they have yet to win two more games in this series. They are now heading to Crypto.com Arena where they will play Games 3 and 4.
It’s no easy feat to win on the road and Denver will be challenged. The Lakers are 8–0 at home so far this postseason and will try to hold their serve. It will be interesting to see what adjustments are made by both teams as Game 3 gives the Nuggets a chance to take an almost insurmountable 3–0 lead.
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