- Denver Nuggets won WCF Game 3, beating the Lakers 114-106.
- Jamal Murray holds off the team from LA in the final few minutes of the match.
- LeBron was all over the place for the LAL, while Anthony Davis couldn’t control the glass.
Jamal Murray’s Strong Finish
The Nuggets allowed themselves to enter a tense finish despite leading 20 points early on in the final period. With 10:36 left, and Murray’s dunk, the team from Colorado led 97-77. However, they would start to lose control, committing several turnovers, followed by poor execution.
During that time, the LAL made a 19-2 run, which brought them to just one possession away from the Nuggets who looked stunned. However, Jamal Murray took over, drilling one three over Alex Caruso, then making a fabulous assist to Paul Millsap before hitting a 30-feet three over Anthony Davis.
“We had Game 2,” Murray said. “We played great in Game 2. We just had a couple of breakdowns that really hurt us. We feel like we should be up 2-1 right now, to be honest. But we’re going to move on to Game 4.”
The Canadian international ended the night with 28 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds. Murray was on the bench only four minutes, by far the fewest of all the Nuggets’ players.
Nikola Jokic had 22 points, 10 boards, and five assists, hitting nine of his 14 shots from the field. Head coach Michael Malone stated that his team has two superstars, not just one, as many think.
“Last year, we knew what we were getting from Nikola, but what kind of game would Jamal have. That’s no longer the case. We have two superstars in Nikola and Jamal,” said Malone.
But apart these two guys, one other stepped in, providing a key difference on the floor. Jerami Grant scored 26 points and was a surprise for the Lakers’ defense. He would make some pretty tough shots, and create additional pressure on the defensive side of the ball, making him one of the most deserved for tonight’s victory.
Rebounds Present Trouble for the Lakers
The purple and gold had just 25 boards in this match, by far the lowest figure in the playoffs. On the other side, the Nuggets added 44, which is one of the biggest factors for their victory.
Anthony Davis had 27 points, but only two boards. Eyebrow was unhappy with his performance, and he didn’t hide that in front of the reporters.
“I have to do a better job on the glass personally. I can’t have two rebounds for the entire game.”
LeBron James posted a triple-double delivering 30 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. He was at his usual level, but there was no support from other teammates.
Caldwell-Pope scored 12 points, Kuzma added 11, and Rajon Rondo 9, with 8 assists and three steals.
The Nuggets are on the rise after this win, and LAL has to stop that. If Malone’s team wins Game 4, that will shift the momentum to their side, and that is something LBJ and AD can’t afford.
Game four is this Thursday at 9 pm ET.
