Clock: Jamal Murray from Nuggets continues to follow Lakers

Jamal Murray has been back to his typical all-star paths for some time now (even if he has never really done the team), and there can be no greater evidence than another player shot against the Lakers.

On Friday evening, the Lakers played the Nuggets better than any other, and Luka Dončić, but in the decreasing seconds Murray broke a 126 bond with a 3 pointer made possible by Nikola Jokić that got two defenders out with a screen.

The Lakers fans don't have to think too far back to remember the last two players Murray, and both come in the playoffs of the past year. First, Murray Game 2 closed with a rainbow autumn sweater over Anthony Davis. Then he ended the Lakers season in game 5.

These are daggers in every respect. No, the shot on Friday was not in a playoff game, but it could have a big impact on the playoff race, as the Nuggets and Lakers both continue to sow.

Denver records the No. 2 seed with the victory, a game in defeat to No. 3 Houston, No. 4 Memphis and the Lakers at No. 5. If the Lakers had won this game, they would have been switched to the 2-seed. Under Oklahoma City are things in the Western Conference. Almost every game swings something.

Instead, the Lakers four in a row, three without LeBron, have lost and now only have three games on No. 6 Warriors, who smoke hot and have one of the simplest schedules on the wayside. Yes, this three-game leadership should be pretty sure when you consider that the Lakers have won the tie-breaker over Golden State, which made the lead with 17 games with 17 games, but nothing can be sure until LeBron is back on the square.

Until then, the Lakers only try to step water in order to be looking for a top four seed and the home advantage in the first round. You will have a game against the Nuggets next Wednesday, which could literally decide whether you will match the first round in the first round or not, depending on how it all works.

It is unlikely that LeBron will be back by then, which means that the Lakers will have another promotion battle in their hands. If you can keep it nearby – maybe due to another brilliant performance by Austin Reaves, who ended the loss on Friday with 37 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and four steals, you can only hope to keep the ball out of Murray's hands in the last seconds. You have officially seen this film too often.