The Denver Nuggets have so far had all the answers they need for the Los Angeles Lakers, and now they're one game away from a sweep.
It was not an easy win for Denver, which has played with a chip on its shoulder all series against the NBA's marquee team.
MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic had maybe his quietest game of the postseason and dealt with foul trouble most of the game. The Lakers once again enjoyed a free-throw disparity, this time outshooting the Nuggets 29-19. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both looked their terrifying selves. The Nuggets won by avoiding the mistakes the Lakers typically force, committing only five turnovers, and a brilliant half from each of their stars.The first half was the Murray show, when the Nuggets standout guard followed up an unreal Game 2 performance with 30 points on 13-of-20 shooting in the first two quarters. Per, Murray's 53 points in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and first half of Game 3 was the most from a player in three-quarter span in the playoffs since 1988.
Murray catching fire put the Nuggets up by as much as 14 points in the first quarter, but it didn't put away the Lakers. Thanks to a quiet half from Jokic , a free throw disparity and a great start from Anthony Davis, the Lakers only trailed 58-55 at the half. The second half was different in many ways. For starters, Murray all but disappeared, going scoreless until midway through the fourth quarter. Jokic woke back up a bit, as did James, who made his first two three-pointers of the series on back-to-back plays.
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