Russell defends the rim, a guy who plays little defense and gets punished for it with a review and tec, bloody ridiculous. It's all tied by the quarter break. Hachimura giving the Lakers an offensive spark off the bench. Denver's defense poor, LeBron blows a showoff dunk attempt in transition though. The Lakers go up double-digits. Brown with a good catch and finish surrounded at the basket, crazier pass by Jokic to him in that spot, confident he will finish the play. LeBron's settling for 3's and missing, the Lakers still up 5 at the half though thanks to Hachimura. Murray struggling to hit a shot, despite being wide open much of the time. The Nuggets start to knock to 3's to bring it back. Brown blocks Schroder on a 3 and Denver has cut the deficit to 3 by 3-quarter time. Murray gets going in the 4th and catches fire, to kick the Nuggets away. Davis with a good block, then knocks down a 3, but then keeps taking them, like LeBron settling and Denver gets over the line, by 5 points. Murray with 23 points in the 4th term, giving the Nuggets a 2-0 lead in the series. Neither team shot great, the Lakers just 27% from 3. Denver turned it over a bit more, though +9 on the boards. Murray ends the game with an efficient 37 points, despite struggling for 3 quarters, with 5 assists, 10 boards and 4 steals. Jokic 23 points, 12 assists, 17 boards, 4 offensive and 3 steals. Porter with four 3's and 7 boards. For the Lakers, Hachimura with an efficient 21 points off the bench. LeBron 22 points, 10 assists, 9 boards, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Reaves 22 points and 5 assists. Davis 18 points, 14 boards and 4 blocks, but 4 of 15 from the field.
3. (Den) J. Murray, 2. (Lal) R. Hachimura, 1. (Den) N. Jokic.
3. (Den) J. Murray, 2. (Lal) R. Hachimura, 1. (Den) N. Jokic.