Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets were in full control through the first 24 minutes of their Western Conference powerhouse showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. However, after leading by 12 before the intermission, the defending champs stormed back and pummeled the Nuggets in the third quarter, 37-17. The Lakers went on to take a 114-93 win over Denver.

Murray, who scored 20 points on the evening, believes there is no need to hit the panic button after blowing a double-digit lead in the first half.

Via Mike Singer of the Denver Post:

Nevertheless, the 23-year old shouldered responsibility for their second half let down, especially in the third quarter.

The Nuggets held a 75-68 during the early portions of the 2nd half lead before the Lakers went on a 19-2 run that bridged through the third and fourth quarters, swinging the momentum toward the Purple and Gold. Sophomore wing Talen Horton-Tucker was instrumental through the run, scoring eight of his 17 points through that 4-plus minute stretch.

As he has done all season, LeBron James powered the Lakers with another triple-double performance. King James finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

As for Denver, they simply fell flat in the second half with their lack of ball movement and scored just 35 points after the intermission. And as Murray said above, they also let up defensively, allowing Los Angeles to drive into the lane with ease, especially near the end of the third quarter.

Murray and the Nuggets came into Thursday's WCF rematch having won six of their last seven outings. One of their signature wins came against the surging Utah Jazz, which had a red-hot 10-game winning streak before losing to the Nuggets. Denver will look to bounce back from this disappointing defeat as they visit the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.