Nuggets roll to Game 3 win over the Lakers for commanding edge

In a game the Los Angeles Lakers realistically had to win, Jamal Murray carried the Denver Nuggets to another comfortable victory.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after missing a shot during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game three. Photo by Harry How / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will need to defy history if they are to keep their NBA championship hopes alive.

Behind another hot shooting night from Jamal Murray, the Denver Nuggets secured a 119-108 victory over the Lakers in LA for a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

No team has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit in NBA post-season history.
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Murray scored 30 of his game-high 37 points in the first half to set up the win that puts the Nuggets within one victory of their first ever trip to the NBA Finals.

Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic then overcame a quiet night with 15 of his 24 points coming in the fourth quarter to withstand any chance of a Lakers comeback.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 28 points, while James and Austin Reaves added 23 points apiece.

James is well aware of the mountain the Lakers now face, but told reporters afterwards all they can do is focus on getting a win in the next game, back at their home at Crypo.com Arena on Tuesday morning (AEST).

“We’ve just got to get one (win). One at a time,” he said.

Nikola Jokic (15) and the Denver Nuggets outmuscled the Lakers in game 3. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

“Just focus on game 4 and that’s all you can really think about.

“Obviously this game is over and done with. We had some opportunities but didn’t come through.

“So we’ll just get ready for Monday and we just got to get one. It’s a one-game series for us and every game counts now.”

Asked if the thought of making history had crossed his mind, the 38-year-old James replied: “Of course. That’s the only mindset for me, for sure.”

Okay Lebron I’m back 🤣 LETS GET IT pic.twitter.com/QuTnt7pFXb

— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) May 21, 2023

No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit 😳 pic.twitter.com/n7pHUHq7Kp

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 21, 2023

As usual, the stars were out in force at the Lakers’ first home game of these Western Conference Finals, with stalwarts Jack Nicholson and Denzel Washington joined by the likes of Adele and Eddie Murphy courtside.

But Murray was the star of the show, quietening the crowd with 17 points in the first quarter as the Nuggets jumped out to a 32-20 lead at the first break.

Eddie Murphy and DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg courtside for the game. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The Lakers came roaring back in the second quarter, opening with a 10-4 run that cut the Denver lead to six points.

The home side kept chipping away and when Reaves drew a foul from Jokic that sent him to the free-throw line, he tied the game at 55-55.

The clash was there for the taking when the Nuggets led 84-82 heading into the final quarter, with James and the Lakers desperate to get on the board in this series.

The Lakers did manage to get their first lead since early in the first quarter courtesy of a Rui Hachimura three-pointer to open the final period.

But Jokic took over down the stretch, with Denver outscoring LA 26-14 over the final 7:44 to grab a win that leaves the series all but over.

Originally published as Nuggets roll to Game 3 win over the Lakers for commanding edge