2023-05-19 07:56:14
Nikola Jokic in triple-double (23 pts, 17 rebounds, 12 assists), Murray with 37 pawns (10 rebounds), five players with more than 10 units, the recipe for success resembled that of the first game for the Colorado franchise.
But this time it was Murray’s turn, and not Jokic, to be decisive in the last quarter he played in full, scoring 23 points (6/7 shooting), including four out of five. behind the arch. Enough to propel his people to victory, while the Serbian double-MVP and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope remained silent.
“The game would have been much easier if I had made those shots in the first period,” recalled the 26-year-old Canadian leader, who indeed displayed a more than suspicious address before the last recovery (5/17). “I missed some really good shots but my team told me to keep shooting.”
“Amazing”
Opposite, LeBron James also continued on the same basis, this time going to a triple-double rebound (22 pts, 10 assists). Austin Reaves added as many points and Rui Hachimura, off the bench, one less.
The latter had started his meeting perfectly by not missing any of his seven attempts in the first quarter, keeping the Nuggets at bay as they broke away from the start of the first game.
But the Japanese then died, only succeeding in one shot (8/10).
However, this did not prevent the Lakers, who were up to 11 points ahead, to race in the lead from the start of the 2nd quarter until 9 minutes 21 seconds from time.
Moment chosen by Murray to restore the advantage to his team thanks to a winning shot. Then Denver did not let go until the end.
“I think he was amazing,” Jokic explained. “At the most important moment, he scored the points that made us win”.
“They tested us,” Murray commented. “I just think we stayed disciplined, even when they were in series (…) we were able to make the necessary adjustments”.
The one who mightn’t settle following his flamboyant performance in match number 1 (40 pts) was Anthony Davis. The interior of the Lakers, although active (14 rbds, 4 cons), did not find the target, contributing up to 18 points but 4/15 to shoot (9/11 to throws).
“Lot of energy”
“Three-point shots killed us in the fourth quarter, but I didn’t see any (defensive) fouls” from the Lakers, LeBron James objected.
The Nuggets will travel to Los Angeles for the next two games in the series, with No. 3 on Saturday at the Californians.
“The public will be there. They will run, they will play fast, with a lot of energy. We must be able to manage that”, warned Jamal Murray who, in 2020, was already there when Los Angeles dismissed Denver on his way to the Western Conference Finals…before heading for the title.
Especially since the Lakers have seven straight wins in their room since the start of the play-off play-offs.
“You can’t approach a play-off in comfort,” warned LeBron James. “We must be even more tense when we play at home”.
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