Jamal Murray sank a 15-foot step-back jumper at the buzzer as the Nuggets wiped out a 20-point second-half deficit to stun the Lakers 101-99 and take a 2-0 lead in their NBA Western Conference playoff series.
Murray’s fadeaway, falling-down game-winner on Monday night (Tuesday AEST) provided Denver with their first lead since 5-3 in the opening minutes and gave the reigning NBA champions their 10th consecutive win over the Lakers.
The series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday night.
Murray’s winning shot came after LeBron James misfired from long range with 16 seconds left and the game tied at 99-99.
Michael Porter Jr grabbed the rebound with 13 seconds left and the Nuggets didn’t call a timeout.
Instead, Murray took the ball to the right side with Anthony Davis guarding him, stepped back and swished the basket just as the buzzer sounded.
Murray finished with 20 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 20 boards and 10 assists.
Davis led the Lakers with 32 points, James had 26 and D’Angelo Russell added 23 with seven threes.
In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and Jarrett Allen had 20 rebounds as the Cavaliers outlasted Orlando 96-86 to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference series.
Evan Mobley added 17 points and Allen scored 16 – with nine offensive rebounds – for the Cavs.
Paolo Banchero scored 21 points and Franz Wagner 18 for the Magic, who have only come back to win one playoff series in 13 tries after losing the series opener.
Aussie veteran Joe Ingles played 14 minutes for the Magic, managing one rebound, three assists and two points.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is in Orlando on Thursday.
In New York, Donte DiVincenzo made a go-ahead three-pointer with 13 seconds left as the Knicks beat Philadelphia 104-101 to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
The Knicks trailed by five points in the final 30 seconds, on the verge of losing home-court advantage, before a stunning rally, starting when Jalen Brunson finally got a shot to fall during an otherwise miserable night.
Brunson’s three-pointer from the corner bounced on the rim and fell in, cutting it to 101-99 with 27 seconds remaining.
Josh Hart stole the ball from Tyrese Maxey to get the ball back for the Knicks, but DiVincenzo missed a three-pointer.
Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed the rebound and passed it to OG Anunoby, who got it back to DiVincenzo, who hit that one to make it 102-101.
Hartenstein then blocked Maxey’s drive, Anunoby made two free throws, and the Knicks held on when Joel Embiid missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Brunson finished with 24 points, Hart had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and DiVincenzo scored 19 points.
Maxey had 35 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in a brilliant performance for the 76ers after he was ill earlier in the day. Embiid had 34 points and 10 rebounds.
Game 3 is in Philadelphia on Thursday.
