The Los Angeles Lakers failed to take home-court advantage against the Denver Nuggets after losing a tightly-fought Game 2 ahead of going back to LA for Game 3.
Nikola Jokic had yet another triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists while Jamal Murray scored 37 points with 10 rebounds. LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 40 points in a poor showing that has fans fuming.
Game Three, our place. pic.twitter.com/c30u8xJrDd
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 19, 2023
James took back-to-back deep three-pointers that missed the mark completely, causing the Nuggets to go on a fourth-quarter run and seize control of the game.
I cant stop thinking of those back to back 3s Bron took right before The Nuggets big run
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) May 19, 2023
James’ poor threes caused a lot of fans to be furious. He shot 9-13 on two-point field goals but went 0-6 from three.
https://twitter.com/oldnbatweetz/status/1659396195754856448
Fans were worried that LeBron may actually have finally lost the battle to Father Time.
Lebron time and time again missing in the clutch.
We’re officially witnessing his decline in real time.
— Jake (@playoffjake) May 19, 2023
Nikola Jokic wowed everyone, as he tied Wilt Chamberlain for the most triple-doubles in a single postseason with another dominant performance.
Nikola Jokic has seven triple-doubles in these playoffs, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most ever in a single postseason, per @StatsWilliams. https://t.co/NdZrviAwYs
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 19, 2023
Jokic struggled to score under defensive pressure from LeBron, leading to James picking up six stocks in the game and Jokic shooting just 42% on the night.
https://twitter.com/bansky/status/1659386303115345920
Jamal Murray was the key for the Nuggets 2020 playoff success and he’s proven to the world that he is still an elite playoff performer after missing two postseason with an ACL tear and not being in the bubble.
Jamal Murray appreciation post.
Love seeing him hoop like this after missing 2 seasons with an ACL tear 👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/G4OYHV8JyE
— De🅿️ressed Warriors Fan 💔 (@GoIdenState) May 19, 2023
Anthony Davis couldn’t impact the game and shot just 26.7% tonight in another one of his disastrous even-numbered game performances.
Just a brutal Anthony Davis game.
He’s been better defensively and on the glass than he was in game 1, but not exceptionally so, and he just followed up his 2 for 11 with back to back turnovers.
And he helped Jamal get his rhythm by conceding that step back.
— Jason Timpf (@_JasonLT) May 19, 2023
Davis scored 18 points with 14 rebounds and LeBron had 22 points with 9 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. Austin Reaves had an efficient 22 points and Rui Hachimura provided 21 more off the bench with 80% efficiency. Despite that, the Lakers just couldn’t match up with both their stars being off the mark offensively.
Have The Nuggets Sealed The Series?
A Lakers comeback from 2-0 down is going to be a monumental challenge considering the Nuggets are the No. 1 seed and have been undrafted at home this playoff run. The Lakers are also undefeated at home, so they shouldn’t think about the end result of the series and just focus on ensuring they can win Games 3 and 4 at home.
This Denver team looks mostly unstoppable. Even in games like today where the offensive is harder to come by, they can make it challenging enough for their opponents to not be able to outscore them regardless. That’s what happened tonight, as the Nuggets move one step closer to their first-ever Finals appearance.
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