In what was a close game down the stretch, the Los Angeles Lakers take a 2-0 lead on the Denver Nuggets after a 3-pt buzzer beater by Anthony Davis bailed the Lakers out from blowing their 16-point lead.
Earlier in the game it was looking like the energy and effort from Game 1 carried over into this one as Los Angeles was playing with tremendous pace and great shooting. In the first half they shot 48.8% from the field and 43.8% from behind the arc, hitting seven three-pointers. Not to mention, LeBron got off to a hot start scoring 20 points on 50% shooting in the first half.
However, down the stretch, it was the battle of the big men that kept this game close. In the 4th quarter Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic were the only two players to score in double digits between both teams, as Davis scored 10 for the Lakers and Jokic scored 12 for the Nuggets. You felt every single one of Jokic’s points for sure after his team had to fight back from being down early. The Joker himself shot 5/14 FG in the first three quarters, totaling 35.7% FG and continued his streak of going cold from deep. Late in the final period though he was able to knock one down as part of his 12 points.
These points helped the Nuggets dig themselves out of the scoring hole that they were in and gave them hope of taking Game 2. Thanks to AD and his late game heroics though, the Lakers didn’t let that happen.
“No moral victories, no silver linings. We gave ourselves a chance to win tonight,” said Nuggets Head Coach Mike Malone. “Obviously Anthony Davis hit the big three to win the game at the buzzer, so we’ll watch film, see what happened on that last play. The message is you know we’re down 2-0, let’s go out and win Game 3.”
Malone was right about there being no moral victories or silver linings, especially because performance-wise, the Lakers played below their capabilities last night, and that helped the Nuggets make this a close one. Just to call a thing a thing, neither team looked all that great statistically in this contest.
Both teams’ field goal percentages were in the mid-40s, and from deep both teams shot around 35%.
For fast break points this postseason the Lakers average 18 PPG. Last night, they scored eight. They also turned the ball over 24 times (10 in the second half), they’ve been averaging 16.4 TOV. They also committed 30 fouls (they average 22.9 PF). Lastly, the Lakers average 52.5 PPG in the paint, but last night they scored 34.
So, not to take away credit from the Nuggets but the Lakers weren’t themselves last night. Fortunately for them though, they have All-NBA First Team member Anthony Davis on their side to close out games when they need it.
“When I left [New Orleans] I just wanted to be able to compete for a championship and I know that moments like this come with it,” said Davis. “Especially being in LA, the biggest market in basketball. I know the quote unquote pressure is going to be on us, going to be on me. Especially the first year with everything that happened last year and then also playing alongside Bron…just be able to play alongside him. He kind of helped me with all this quote unquote pressure…it was a special one for me. A special one for my teammates.”
