The Los Angeles Lakers seemed on their way to a big win in Game 2 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, but a fourth-quarter collapse led to a blown lead and a 101-99 loss.
The Lakers led by as many as 20 and took a 15-point lead into the half. The Nuggets cut into the lead in the third, but Los Angeles still led by 10 heading into the final quarter. Denver then went on a 22-8 run to cut the deficit to just five heading into the final minutes before quickly tying things up.
Things went back and forth and the Lakers took a two-point lead with less than a minute to go after a LeBron James layup, but Jamal Murray tied it up on the next possession. After Los Angeles’ go-ahead shot attempt fell short, Murray hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer to win it and give Denver a 2-0 series lead.
After the loss, NBA fans ripped the Lakers for their monumental collapse.
The feeling of Monday night’s game has grown too familiar for the Lakers. In Saturday’s loss, the Lakers led by double digits before collapsing in the third quarter to drop the first game of the series. Denver has now won six straight playoff games against the Lakers dating back to last season’s Western Conference Finals.
Perhaps returning to Los Angeles will help the Lakers regroup as they look to avoid a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 deficit. Game 3 between Los Angeles and Denver will take place Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.
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