In major need of a mood boost, the Los Angeles Lakers won a thrilling game thanks to a game-winning 3-pointer from Kyle Kuzma that came off of a beautifully executed sideline out of bounds play to help knock off the Denver Nuggets, 124-121. The Nuggets played their reserves for the entirety of the 4th quarter.
KYLE KUZMA GAME-WINNER! 😱
🎥: @NBA
pic.twitter.com/5VCQYrTG2g— USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) August 11, 2020
The Nuggets, as they have in several games over the last week, played their starters and key players only sparingly. Instead, they closed the game with a reserve laden group starring Mason Plumlee, PJ Dozier and rookie Bol Bol, whose total of career NBA games played is still in the single-digits. Things were looking dicey as the Lakers trailed within the final minute but a lay-up by LeBron James, plus the foul, which gave the Lakers a 121-119 lead with 45 seconds left.
Monte Morris split a pair of free-throws with 30 seconds left that could have tied the game, but LeBron missed a jumper over Bol Bol. Denver then went fullcourt without a timeout and PJ Dozier was fouled by Kyle Kuzma with 4.8 seconds left. L.A. challenged the call, but it was unsuccessful, sending Dozier to the line with a chance to take the lead. But he missed the second free-throw, giving L.A. an opportunity to win the game.
On the following possession, a sideline out of bounds play reminiscent from assistant coach Jason Kidd’s Milwaukee days, Kuzma ended the Lakers losing streak at three games to give them a much-needed change after losing their last three straight games.
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