Lakers hold on, send Nuggets to 3-1 hole again
Davis scores 34 to lead Los Angeles
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — At least it’s familiar territory.
The Nuggets flirted with the lead for what seemed like an eternity Thursday night, but they couldn’t solve Lebron James’ riddle. Los Angeles withstood a feverish rush from the Nuggets over the final few minutes of Game 4 to hang on, 114-108, and stake a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Staring at a third 3-1 deficit this postseason, the Nuggets will try
and extend their season in Game 5 on Saturday night.
The Nuggets cut the margin to just one possession multiple times throughout the fourth
quarter only to yield a devastating offensive rebound or send the Lakers to the line. Anthony Davis (34 points) and James (26) tread a path to the charity stripe, racking up 28 attempts combined. As a team, the Nuggets had just 23.
No matter the deficit or any officiating injustices, Jamal Murray kept coming.
His spirit gave the Nuggets life even with his counterpart, Nikola Jokic, battling foul trouble. Murray finished with a team-high 32 points. Jokic had just 16 and only two free throws.
For the second straight game, Jerami Grant gave the Nuggets a significant boost. His 17 points were invaluable in keeping Denver within striking distance.
The Lakers threatened to break the game open multiple times in the third quarter, but the Nuggets didn’t relent. Whether it was Murray driving hard into a smattering of Lakers big men, or Torrey Craig making a timely basket, they never let the deficit get out of hand.
Few margins have been insurmountable during Denver’s magical postseason ride.
Down 10 with 2:35 left in the third quarter, Michael Porter Jr. drained two 3-pointers, and the Nuggets closed on a 9-2 run to chip away at Los Angeles’ lead. Heading into the fourth, the Lakers’ lead felt tenuous at 87-84.
Much of that had to do with Murray’s tenacity, which was infectious Thursday. Now through 18 playoff games, Nuggets coach Michael Malone has witnessed Murray’s ascendance first-hand.
“I think he was a very good player coming into this whole thing,”
Malone said. “And now on this stage has showed himself to be a great player, a superstar.
“Mind you, that’s from a player that’s only in his second year in the Playoffs,” Malone continued. “I know a lot of people are trying to compare Jamal to Steph Curry, similar career path in the payoffs. I think it’s unfair to Steph Curry, an MVP winner. And I think it is very unfair to Jamal Murray. Let Steph be Steph and Jamal be Jamal.”
Similar to Game 3, the Nuggets got contributions up and down the roster. Grant and Jokic added 10 points each over the first half, and Porter chipped in seven off the bench.
But the Nuggets’ pulse came from Murray, whose shot-making sparked his entire team. When Murray’s devilish up-and-under dropped late in the first half, his teammates let him know it on the next possession down.
“Where amazing happens,” they yelled from the bench.