In a dominant display, the Denver Nuggets claimed a commanding 112-105 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series, putting the Lakers on the brink of elimination.
Led by Aaron Gordon’s 29 points and 15 rebounds, along with Nikola Jokic’s 24 points and nine assists, the Nuggets showcased their championship pedigree, extending their winning streak over the Lakers to 11 games.
Jamal Murray also made significant contributions, scoring 22 points and dishing out nine assists. Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite a valiant effort from Anthony Davis, who contributed 33 points and 15 rebounds, and LeBron James, who added 26 points and nine assists, the Lakers find themselves in a dire situation, trailing 0-3 in the series.
The Lakers’ inability to capitalize from beyond the arc proved costly, as they struggled, missing 15 of their first 16 3-point attempts, allowing the Nuggets to seize control of the game.
While Davis and James displayed their brilliance, the Lakers lacked support from their role players, with D’Angelo Russell going scoreless and Rui Hachimura contributing only five points. Austin Reaves, though, had his best game of the series thus far with 22 points.
With Game 4 looming large, the Lakers face an uphill battle as they attempt to stave off elimination and salvage their postseason aspirations.
The Nuggets, on the other hand, are poised to continue their impressive playoff run, fueled by their depth and determination to defend their title.
