JAMAL Murray converted a game-winner as Denver Nuggets pulled off a come-from-behind 101-99 victory over Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference first round playoffs on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
After a three-point miss by Lakers forward LeBron James, Murray broke a 99-all score with a fall away basket against the defense of LA’s Anthony Davis at the buzzer.
Murray finished the game with 20 points, with 14 coming in the fourth quarter, to go with five assists, three rebounds, and two blocks as the Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Nikola JokiÄ led the way with a triple-double of 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, Michael Porter Jr. added 22 markers, while Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun had 14 and 10 points, respectively, for Denver.
Davis tallied a double-double of 32 points and 11 rebounds, James contributed 26 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds, while D’Angelo Russell contributed 23 points for the Lakers.
New York Knicks, meanwhile, pulled off a massive fight back in the final 27 seconds to score a 104-101 win over Philadelphia 76ers and took a 2-0 edge in their best-of-seven first round series.
Down 96-101 after a split free throw by 76ers’ Kyle Lowry, the Knicks knocked down back-to-back three-pointers from Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo to take a 102-101 lead with 13 seconds left.
76ers’ Tyrese Maxey then missed on his layup attempt as Knicks’ OG Anunoby knocked down two free throws to extend the lead to 104-101 in the final seconds of the contest.
Brunson top-scored for the Knicks with 24 points to go with eight rebounds and six assists, Josh Hart had a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds, while DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Anunoby ended with 19, 14, and 10 points, respectively.
Cleveland Cavaliers, on the other hand, cruised to a 2-0 lead in their series following a 96-86 Game 2 win over Orlando Magic. Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavs with 23 points and eight rebounds./PN
BOX SCORE:
DENVER 101 — JokiÄ 27, Porter 22, Murray 20, Gordon 14, Braun 10, Caldwell-Pope 6, Watson 2, Holiday 0, Jackson 0.
LOS ANGELES 99 — Davis 32, James 26, Russell 23, Reaves 9, Prince 6, Hachimura 3, Vincent 0, Hayes 0, Dinwiddie 0.
Quarterscores: 24-28, 44-59, 69-79, 101-99.
