And Anthony Davis rose: a three-point buzzer shot from the star winger of the Lakers got the better of a still fantastic but unsuccessful comeback from Denver, finally beaten (105-103) and now led 2-0 in the Western Conference final.
I’m ready to handle that kind of pressure, I want to take that kind of shots, I want to live these moments, that’s why I was brought in
, hammered afterwards Davis, who lives his first games at this stage of the play-offs and that the Lakers have in fact recruited a year ago to support LeBron James in the quest for a 16th league title.
However, he did more than that in this N.2 match, confirming a trend seen in the first where he finished with 37 points: he was the boss of the team. In the second half, he scored 22 of his 31 points (9 rebounds, 2 blocks), when James weighed much less, even making several bad choices, after starting strong by scoring 20 points in the first two quarters (26 in total, 11 rbds).
AD is a player apart, it’s that simple. He proved he is one of the best in the world
, paid homage to him the “King”.
READ ALSO. NBA. LeBron James annoyed after Antetkounmpo’s MVP title
Davis’ performance is as impressive as the blow is hard for the Nuggets, long behind, but who erased a 16-point deficit in the 3rd quarter, to pick up the score seven minutes from the end and even lead ( 87-86). But, unlike their exploits punctuated by a knockout against the Clippers in the previous round, they could not entirely reverse the situation.
It really didn’t matter much in a dantesque money-time, which spiced up a meeting that had hitherto not been very exciting.
Insufficient Joker
After three three-point baskets from Rajon Rondo (9 assists), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (11 pts) and already Davis, gave the lead to LA (99-92), Denver then released his Joker
. And Nikola Jokic (30 pts, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 interceptions), extraordinary in cold blood too, then put on 11 consecutive points, including his first long-distance shoot in three matches (!) And a tap after a shoot countered by Jamal Murray (25 pts) to lead (103-102).
The last possession saw the still excellent Alex Caruso miss the target behind the arc and, on the rebound, Danny Green was blocked by Murray, who was avenging the same Green’s block on his early-game dunk. But on the throw-in, with 2 1 / 10ths to go, Davis took responsibility – in front of Jokic, with whom they engaged in a titanic duel – for the winning shoot which had the effect of a big blow to the Nuggets.
A big shot, successful by a player of great moments. We are in the final of the Western conference… There is no moral victory, nor a silver medal. The message is this: we are down 2-0, let’s go ahead and win the third game
, commented Denver coach Michael Malone, struggling to hide his disappointment.
They have two great players, LeBron, probably the best in the league, and Davis, one of the top scorers. We can only make it more difficult, more uncomfortable for them. We have been in combat. And if we lost, we played well most of the time. We need to keep our heads up and make good preparations for the next date
, said Jokic.
It takes place on Tuesday, and it is already crucial for the Colorado franchise if it is to contradict the history that links it to the Lakers in the playoffs, who emerged victorious from their previous six encounters, including the last in 2009 which saw Kobe Bryant win. the 4th of his five rings with LA
– .
