Lakers vs. Nuggets: Why Luka Dončić’s game-winner might be season’s most necessary shot

The Los Angeles Lakers‘ dramatic 127-125 additional time victory over the Denver Nuggets, which Luka Dončić ended with a game-winning step-back jumper within the ultimate second of the additional body, was among the finest video games of the season. It might additionally find yourself being one of the necessary. 

After leaping out to an early double-digit lead, the Lakers pushed their benefit to 17 within the second quarter and have been cruising till the Nuggets launched into a giant comeback late within the third. Finally, the Nuggets took the lead, which grew to eight late within the fourth. Rapidly, it was the Lakers who wanted a comeback. They accomplished one in miraculous style. 

To power additional time, Austin Reaves pulled off among the finest intentional missed free-throw routines you are ever going to see. The Nuggets, up by three, fouled Reaves with 5.2 seconds to play. Reaves made the primary free throw, then threw the second off the entrance of the rim. The ball ricocheted out to him on the correct wing, and he put in a floater to ship issues to additional time. 

“JJ informed me to inform AR to overlook proper. So he missed left,” Dončić joked. “So it was a superb play. That is very laborious to do.”

There was sloppy play and a number of other missed pictures early in additional time, which ensured neither staff may draw back. And after Nikola Jokić tied issues up with 15 seconds to play, the Lakers had the ball with an opportunity to win. 

Dončić obliged with certainly one of his patented step-back jumpers. The Nuggets tried to double him, however they did not get their angles proper, which gave Dončić the area to drive left towards the baseline. Spencer Jones recovered and made a spirited contest, however it was in useless. Dončić caught nothing however web for arguably his signature second with the Lakers to date. 

“Quite a lot of legends performed right here. They depart lots behind with the Lakers,” Dončić stated. “So clearly I did [envision this when I was traded here], clearly we’re nonetheless within the common season, however that was a bit of little bit of that feeling immediately for positive.” 

Dončić completed with 30 factors, 11 rebounds and 13 assists for his eighth triple-double of the season, serving to the Lakers lengthen their successful streak to 5 video games. They’ve gained eight of their final 9 video games and climbed into third place within the Western Convention. 

Lakers acquire essential tiebreaker over Nuggets

Quite a few Western Convention seeding battles seem prone to come right down to the ultimate days of the season. Getting into Saturday, Nos. 2-6 seeds all had 41 wins and have been separated by half a sport. 

This is a have a look at the standings earlier than the Lakers-Nuggets matchup:

And this is a have a look at the standings after the Lakers’ win. 

The Lakers went from fourth to 3rd and the Nuggets went from fifth to sixth, which exhibits how necessary every sport is at this level within the crowded West. Extra importantly, although, the Lakers’ win gave them the season tiebreaker over the Nuggets (2-1, with no matchups between the groups remaining). 

If the Lakers and Nuggets find yourself with equivalent data on the finish of the season — a really actual chance — the Lakers would get the upper seed. That might be the distinction between incomes the No. 3 seed and staying out of the defending champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder‘s facet of the bracket. It is also the distinction between incomes the No. 4 seed and incomes homecourt benefit within the first spherical. 

Dončić’s shot is without doubt one of the highlights of the season, and it could show to be way more necessary than simply that.