The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 112-105 in Game 3 of their first-round series. Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the Nuggets continued their dominance over the Lakers. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 20 points to the win, which put Denver within reach of advancing to the second round. Game 4 is set for Saturday night in Los Angeles, with the Nuggets aiming to sweep the series.
Despite a strong performance by Anthony Davis, who had 33 points and 15 rebounds, and LeBron James, who added 26 points and nine assists, the Lakers fell short against the Nuggets. Los Angeles has now lost seven consecutive playoff games to Denver over the past two years. The Lakers struggled with their three-point shooting in Game 3, missing 15 of their first 16 attempts. Austin Reaves provided a spark off the bench with 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Nuggets’ balanced scoring and strong defense.
The Lakers had been playing well since the holidays, making a late surge to secure the seventh seed in the playoffs. However, they have struggled against the Nuggets, who have been a tough matchup for them. D’Angelo Russell was held scoreless in Game 3, missing all seven of his shots, including six three-point attempts. Denver’s Gordon and Jokic were instrumental in the victory, with Gordon scoring 10 points in the third quarter to help the Nuggets take control of the game.
The Nuggets, who won their previous two playoff games in Denver, have shown their championship pedigree with solid performances against the Lakers. Despite blowing a 20-point lead in Game 2, they regrouped and secured a crucial victory on the road in Game 3. The Lakers have been unable to contain Denver’s offensive versatility, leading to frustration and confusion on the court. With the Lakers now facing elimination, they will need to make adjustments to extend their season.
Denver’s depth and balanced scoring have been key factors in their success against the Lakers. While stars like Jokic and Gordon have led the way, contributions from players like Murray and Porter Jr. have also been crucial. The Lakers have struggled to contain the Nuggets on both ends of the floor, leading to their playoff woes against Denver. With Game 4 looming, the Lakers will need a collective effort to avoid a sweep and keep their season alive.
As the series shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 4, the Lakers will look to regroup and make necessary adjustments to avoid elimination. Head coach Darvin Ham will need to find ways to counter Denver’s strong performance and find solutions to their offensive struggles. With LeBron James leading the way, the Lakers will look to rally and extend their playoff run. However, the Nuggets have proven to be a formidable opponent, and the Lakers will need a complete team effort to overcome their tough challenge.
