Nuggets put Lakers in 0-2 hole in Conference Finals with 108-103 win, as Murray outshines James

Nuggets put Lakers in 0-2 hole in the Western Conference Finals with 108-103 win, as Denver’s Jamal Murray outshines LeBron James in fourth and Nikola Jokic cruises to a triple-double

  • Jamal Murray flipped a switch after a poor first three quarters for the Nuggets
  • And on the other side, Lebron James scored just six points in the final period
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

The Nuggets came alive in the fourth quarter Thursday to take a 2-0 series lead over the Lakers, winning 108-103 behind a late push from Jamal Murray.

The Canadian guard was just 5-17 from the field entering the fourth quarter and Denver trailed by three entering that period.

But Murray, the team’s second-leading scorer behind Nikola Jokic this season, finally sprung to life in the final frame and scored 23 points in the last 12 minutes as LA’s offense stalled.

Aside from dealing with an ear infection, Murray continues to push past his 2021 ACL tear, which caused him to miss all of last season and bled into this year as he started the season off slow.

‘I saw the dark days coming back from that ACL [injury], Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after the game.

Jamal Murray scored 23 points in the fourth quarter as Denver took a 2-0 advantage

LeBron James scored 22 points in the loss, but tallied just six points in a quiet fourth quarter

LeBron James scored 22 points in the loss, but tallied just six points in a quiet fourth quarter

Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists as Denver protected home court

Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists as Denver protected home court

‘So for him to be here playing at the level he’s playing at, I’m just so happy for the man, the young man.’

Jokic also helped Denver’s cause with yet another postseason triple-double, as he totaled 23 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham reinstated forward Jarred Vanderbilt into the starting lineup after starting Dennis Schroeder in Game 1, as LA continues to try and throw Jokic off his game with various looks.

But Vanderbilt played just 17 minutes as the two-time MVP had another strong performance.

‘The Joker is just one of those guys, you gotta change matchups, you gotta change coverages,’ Ham said.

‘He’s gonna make you work, he’s gonna make you go in your bag of tricks to slow him down.’

Nikola Jokic closes out on a shot from Anthony Davis, who shot just 4-15 on the night in Denver

Nikola Jokic closes out on a shot from Anthony Davis, who shot just 4-15 on the night in Denver

Michael Porter Jr. added 16 points for the Nuggets along with seven rebounds

Michael Porter Jr. added 16 points for the Nuggets along with seven rebounds

NFL legend and former Denver Bronco Peyton Manning attended the game in his old home

NFL legend and former Denver Bronco Peyton Manning attended the game in his old home

The Lakers led by as much as 11 but scored just 24 fourth-quarter points, and now face a virtual must-win Game 3 at home on Saturday.

LeBron James scored 22 in the loss – with only six in the fourth quarter – and Anthony Davis had 18 while Austin Reaves added 22.

Rui Hachimura also had 21 points off the bench.

But it wasn’t an efficient night for Davis, who shot 4-15 from the field and had four turnovers in an effort he’ll want to forget.

‘Overall the energy was there, the effort was there… we just caught a bad stretch,’ Ham said. 

James also had three turnovers in the contest.

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