By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun
ANKARA (AA) – The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 105-103 on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA's Western Conference Finals series, thanks to Anthony Davis' buzzer-beating three-pointer.
“We ran a play, supposed to be for Bron [LeBron James],” Davis told the broadcaster after the game, when asked about the last play that gave the Lakers the win.
"I looked at [Rajon] Rondo the whole time. People talking about me never being in this moment, pressure, am I ready for it? I want to take those shots. As part of the legacy, I want those shots, I want the big-time plays. We’re going to live with me or die with me shooting game-winning shots, and I made it. This is what they brought me here for.”
Davis had a big second half for his team, carrying his squad to the finish line when the Lakers were up 100-92 with 3:03 to go in the game. Despite Nuggets' star Nikola Jokic's heroics (30 pts) to bring the game on the line, Davis managed to hit the game-winner, joining only six other players in the Lakers' deep franchise history that hit the buzzer-beater to win the game in the playoffs.
The list includes Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Derek Fisher, Robert Horry and Metta World Peace, and now Anthony Davis.
The Lakers' other superstar, LeBron James, scored 20 points in the first half on 8/11 shooting but had a quiet second half, finishing the game with 26.
This is the Nuggets' first Western Conference Finals appearance since the 2008-09 season. They lost the conference finals series in the 08/09 season to the eventual champions the Lakers.
