Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets (Lakers lead 1-0)
The Lakers dominated game one against the Nuggets, but just like in the semifinals, the Nuggets came back ready to give the Lakers everything they had. The Nuggets always seem to play their best with their backs get against the wall, and thoughts of going down 0-2 had them scrapping in a fantastic game to watch.
The first quarter started with the Lakers still hot from game one and jumped out to a 29-21 lead. The Nuggets fought back in the second quarter, but their defense couldn’t slow down the Lakers offense. The Nuggets’ defense finally showed up and made some headway in the third quarter. The Lakers had built a lead, but the Nuggets held the Lakers to their lowest scoring quarter in cutting the lead to 82-78.
The Nuggets dug deep to keep the game alive. The fourth quarter became a shooting duel, basket for basket. In the last two minutes, the Nuggets took a one-point lead with 31.8 seconds left in the game.
The Lakers answered right back. LeBron James made a great pass to Antony Davis to score the basket to take the lead back 102-101 with 26.7 seconds left in the game. Plenty of time for the Nuggets to get a great look. Nikola Jokic hit a jumper to give the lead back to the Nuggets with 20.8 seconds on the Lakers clock.
The Nuggets played great defense, forcing the Lakers to have Alex Caruso shoot a three-point shot. The Nuggets couldn’t have picked a better Laker to take the last shot. He missed the shot, but the Nuggets failed to execute and allowed the Lakers to get the offensive rebound. Jamal Murray blocked Danny Greens put back attempt but couldn’t recover the ball either. A called time out with 2.1 seconds left in the game.
The Lakers had one last chance to win the game. Rajon Rondo was inbounding the ball, and he laid it off perfectly for Davis to get off a great look at three to win, swish!
The Lakers escaped and were now 2-0 with a game-winning buzzer-beating basket. Both teams played their tails off, and for anybody who didn’t get a chance to watch this game, find a replay and watch it. It was a fantastic show from both teams.
The Nuggets were led by Jokic (30PTS 6REB 9AST 4STL 2TO 29MIN), who one-upped by Davis (31PTS 9REB 2AST 1STL 2BLK 1TO 39MIN). It looks like these two will be dueling out in every game, but the more significant thing for both teams were their partners in crime, James (26PTS 11REB 4AST), and Jamal Murray (25PTS 6REB 4AST).
The Nuggets are down 0-2, but this probably only means they got the Lakers right where they want them in these playoffs. Hopefully, the Nuggets don’t run out of juice and we get to see a few more games like this one.