The LA Lakers’ ‘Denver nightmare’ continues. The Nuggets have lost three straight games and are in danger of being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs (PO).
Denver defeated the Lakers 112-105 on the road in Game 3 of the first round of the 2023-2024 National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference PO at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, 토토사이트 추천 California, on Saturday.
Denver, the defending champions and second in the Western Conference this season, swept Games 1 through 3 to fall just one win shy of advancing to the second round. The Lakers, on the other hand, reached the PO through the play-in tournament as the seventh seed in the regular season, but found themselves on the brink of an early exit, especially with the recent humiliation of Denver’s 11th straight loss in the regular season and playoffs combined.
In the first half, both teams struggled offensively from three-point range, with Denver making just two and the Lakers one. However, the Lakers’ advantage in fast break points (12-2) gave them a slim 53-49 lead at the half.
But just as they did in Games 1 and 2, the third quarter was where Denver’s comeback began. The Nuggets quickly built a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter on six straight points from Aaron Gordon and a Jermale Murray three-pointer. The Lakers, meanwhile, centered around Anthony Davis, but were unable to close the gap.
Leading 83-75 heading into the final quarter, Denver used a 10-point run by Michael Porter Jr. to pull away from the Lakers. Nikola Jokic hit a crucial floater with 3:02 left to seal the win.
Gordon (29 points, 15 rebounds), Jokic (24 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists), Murray (22 points, nine assists) and Porter Jr. (20 points, 10 rebounds) were all in double figures for Denver. The Lakers’ Anthony Davis had 33 points and 15 rebounds, while James had 26 points and nine assists, but was held in check. D’Angelo Russell‘s scoreless performance was particularly painful.