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.
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.
