NBA: Nuggets overtake Lakers in 4th quarter for 2-0 series edge


Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives against LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in game two of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena on May 18, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives towards LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the course of the third quarter in sport two of the Western Convention Finals at Ball Area on Could 18, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. Matthew Stockman/Getty Photos/AFP

Nikola Jokic delivered a triple-double with 23 factors and Jamal Murray turned some late 3-point taking pictures into 37 factors because the Denver Nuggets earned a 108-103 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday to take a 2-0 lead within the Western Convention finals.

Jokic added 17 rebounds and 12 assists, whereas Michael Porter Jr. had 16 factors for Denver, which used seven fourth-quarter 3-pointers to rally previous the Lakers. Murray was 4 of 5 from 3-point vary within the fourth, scoring 23 factors within the interval, after he was 2 of 9 within the first three quarters.

The Nuggets moved two victories away from their first look within the NBA Finals, with the best-of-seven collection shifting to Los Angeles for Video games 3 on Saturday and Recreation 4 on Monday. The are 6-0 at dwelling within the playoffs to date.

LeBron James amassed 22 factors, 10 assists and 9 rebounds and Anthony Davis added 18 factors and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a call during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game two of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena on May 18, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a name in the course of the third quarter towards the Los Angeles Lakers in sport two of the Western Convention Finals at Ball Area on Could 18, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. Matthew Stockman/Getty Photos/AFP 

Austin Reaves scored 22 factors and Rui Hachimura added 21 for the Lakers, who had been a lot improved after a gradual begin in Recreation 1. Nevertheless, Los Angeles couldn’t maintain on to an 11-point lead within the third quarter on Thursday.

The Nuggets used a 10-0 run within the third to tie the sport at 74-74.

The Lakers held a 79-76 lead after three quarters earlier than Murray got here to life. His first 3-pointer of the interval gave Denver an 84-83 lead with 9:21 remaining. He added one other with 7:11 left for an 87-83 lead.

After a Bruce Brown 3-pointer with 6:49 to go put Denver up 90-83, Murray once more related from deep twice extra and the Nuggets led 99-87 with 4:57 remaining.

Reaves acquired the Lakers inside 101-99 on a trey with 1:07 left after James rolled his left ankle. James stayed within the sport, with Reaves making one other 3-pointer to get Los Angeles inside 106-103 with 13.5 seconds left, however Murray’s seven free throws within the ultimate 50 seconds sealed the victory.

After trailing by as many as 16 factors within the first quarter of Recreation 1, the Lakers used an improved sense of urgency to guide by as many as six factors within the opening interval of Recreation 2.

Denver pulled even 27-27 on the finish of the primary quarter, however the Lakers led 53-48 at halftime behind 17 factors from Hachimura, who was 7 of seven from the sector within the first two quarters.

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