In a critical Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-108 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday night. This victory extends the Nuggets’ lead to 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, placing them on the verge of making their first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history.
The Lakers started strong, leading in the early stages of the game. However, the Nuggets showcased their resilience, overcoming the deficit through a dominant performance by Jamal Murray, who scored 37 points, including a significant third-quarter surge. Nikola Jokić added a solid contribution with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, further bolstering the Nuggets’ offense.
Historically, teams trailing 3-0 in the NBA playoffs have been unable to come back and win the series. Out of 149 instances, none have succeeded, with only a handful managing to force a Game 7. This statistic presents a daunting challenge for the Lakers as they aim to keep their season alive.
The series has been marked by the Nuggets’ ability to overturn leads held by the Lakers. In Game 1, Jokić’s exceptional play set the tone. Game 2 saw Murray’s late-game heroics secure a win for Denver. In Game 3, Aaron Gordon contributed significantly in the paint, emphasizing the depth and versatility of the Nuggets’ lineup.
As the teams prepare for Game 4, the Lakers face elimination and the immense task of making NBA history. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will look to maintain their momentum and secure a historic berth in the NBA Finals.
Reference(s):
NBA highlights on April 25: Lakers come up short again against Nuggets
cgtn.com
