THE BUBBLE — Just when everybody and their Uncle LeRoy was counting the Denver Nuggets out. They showed up and showed out like my momma used to say with a 114-106 win over the Lakers. Coming into Game 3 down 2-0, it was imperative that they win because no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the postseason.
They’ve already erased two 3-1 deficits this postseason but going down 3-0 would surely have been a disaster. Led by Jamal Murray’s 28 points, 12 assists and 8 rebounds the Nuggets were in complete control early on.
After starting the first two games in this series never leading at halftime. The Nuggets jumped out of the ride in complete control at the break in Game 3. They went on a 15-2 run to start the second quarter to give them a 44-29 advantage and crazy confidence to go with it.
At the break they were up 63-53 and feeling like they were supposed to be in the VIP section of the party. This was the first time in 6 games where they actually led at the break this postseason. That’s NUTS!
With 10 1/2 minutes left to play Denver was up by as many as 20 points looking at boyz in the rearview mirror. However, the Lakers came roaring back going on a 19-2 run led by the defensive genius of one Frank Vogel. Ole Frank switched up the game on a boy going to a zone from man to man and it confused the heck out of Denver. They forced crazy turnovers which led to easy baskets with Rajon Rondo leading the charge.
Los Angeles was able to cut it to a 4 point game but Jamal Murray put the “S” back on his chest to knock down a 3-point dagger with 2:16 remaining. He then found Paul Millsap underneath the basket before knocking down yet another 3-pointer to close the deal making it 111-99 with 53 seconds left.
Murray was the X-factor for the Nuggets but he had plenty of help. Jemari Grant finished with career playoff high of 26 points, Nikola Jokic dropped off 22 and Monte Morris added 14 points off of the bench.
LeBron led the Lakers with a massive triple double but it wasn’t enough to keep Denver for getting the “W.” He finished with 30 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Anthony Davis dropped off 27 points but only had 2 rebounds. What was that? Two rebounds at 6’10″tall? C’mon playa!
That was the difference in the ball game right there. The Lakers were out rebounded 44-25. That was the lowest rebounding night for the Lakers in more than a decade. This loss snaps a 6-game winning streak for the Lakers who are now 10-3 this postseason. Up next Game 4 on Thursday.