NBA Playoffs wrap: Davis’ buzzer-beating three stuns Nuggets to give Lakers 2-0 lead
Anthony Davis nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer as the Los Angeles Lakers stunned the Denver Nuggets 105-103 in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Trailing 103-102, Davis hit a last-gasp three to break Denver’s hearts and give the Lakers a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven NBA playoff series in Orlando, Florida on Sunday.
The third-seeded Nuggets, who became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a series twice in the same postseason en route to the Conference finals, were seconds away from levelling the matchup at Walt Disney World Resort.
Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic made a 10-foot shot with 20.8 seconds remaining as Denver moved ahead by a point against top seeds the Lakers.
Jamal Murray also produced some elite defending for the Nuggets, blocking Danny Green’s jumper as the clock dropped to 2.2 seconds.
But with no timeouts and time expiring, Davis stepped up in a clutch moment, receiving an inbound pass from Rajon Rondo and putting the Lakers in control of their first Conference finals since going on to win their last championship in 2010.
Davis finished with 31 points and nine rebounds, while team-mate LeBron James posted 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Jokic had 30 points and nine assists and Murray put up 25 points for the shocked Nuggets, who had fought back from as many as 16 points down.
Lakers face Nuggets
The Lakers and Nuggets are back at it again in Game 3 on Tuesday.
