Denver is only one victory away from the Finals!

The results of the night in the NBA

Nuggets @ Lakers : 119-108

Denver Nuggets 3-0 Los Angeles Lakers

Denver is only one victory away from the first NBA Finals in its history. The Nuggets went for Game 3 on the Lakers’ floor, again delivering a very high level collective performance, enhanced by the individuals Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Again, the Lakers fought to erase the level difference and erased a 14-point deficit to embark on a breathless crossover in the second half. It wasn’t enough. Michael Malone’s men are too sure of their strength, too aware of the levers to pull when it comes to making a difference. The 13-0 printed in the 4th quarter to gradually put the Californians out of reach is proof of this.

Even hampered by fouls for a good part of the match, Nikola Jokic (24 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) piloted operations in the 4th quarter. While his streak of triple-doubles came to an end, the Serb was a perfect playmaker late in the game, whether fueling his teammates or killing the suspense 3-pointer with 3 minutes left. Michael Malone even explained after the match that the “Joker” had been at the origin of the choice of systems in the 4th quarter and had behaved like a coach. To which the double MVP replied:

“I don’t want to be a coach. It’s the worst job on the planet.”

Before this well-negotiated fourth QT (35-26), we believed in a legendary match of Jamal Murray, returned to the locker room with 30 points on the clock and an unreal address. It will have been “only” sumptuous, since the rear of the Nuggets slowed down the pace in the second half, without forgetting to be precious in the 4th quarter too. The Canadian continues to be on a mission to show he’s reached league star level in his position and form the NBA’s deadliest duo with Nikola Jokic. Murray finished the game with 37 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists at 15/29.

Jamal Murray explodes for 30 points in the 1st half, finishing with 37 for the 2nd straight game!

The @nuggets now hold a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. pic.twitter.com/eLmpj3keXq

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2023

CQFR: don’t look for Jimmy Butler, the Heat are taking a break!

– LeBron James ended its 3-point drought by returning three award-winning baskets, including two 20 seconds apart at the end of the 3rd quarter to bring the Lakers back to one point. We thought the machine was on, but it seized up again afterwards. The King missed his two 3-point shots in the 4th quarter and four of his six shots. He looked less exhausted than in Game 3, but even with 23 points, 12 assists and 7 rebounds, he couldn’t pull his team to victory. Small consolation prize, the King overtook Bill Russell in fifth place in the number of double-doubles (138) in the playoffs.

Anthony Davis also did his best and finished with a big double-double (28 pts, 18 rebounds), but we didn’t feel as dominant defensively as in recent weeks.

– When they take stock of this post-season, the Lakers may regret not having fed more Austin Reaves. Despite his inexperience at this level, he was still the sharpest of the Lakers and the only one really capable of hitting the Nuggets. Whether it’s because D’Angelo Russell touched too many balls or because LeBron didn’t take a step back enough, Reaves didn’t have as many opportunities as he should have to maintain the suspense. Despite that, he still finished with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists at 7/10. Whether at the Lakers or elsewhere, Austin Reaves has a bright future in the NBA.

– If his first weeks in Los Angeles – even if it was a comeback – were good, this series hurts the rating of D’Angelo Russell. He was described as handicapping on his last appearances, with a weak offensive contribution and an inability to defend even decently. This game 3 was a dive into the abyss for D-Lo: 3 points, 4 assists, 3 loss of balls at 1/8 in 20 minutes. Whether in the United States or in France, the Lakers fanbase is unanimous on his case today: his place is on the bench and with as little playing time as possible.

– Never has a team come back from a 3-0 in the playoffs. We do not want to discourage the Lakers, who frankly fought well in each of the three matches, but there is little chance that they will be the first to achieve this.

– The funny action of the night involves good old Scott Foster, aka “The Extender”, and LeBron James. The most divisive referee in the league had his lip split open by the Lakers superstar in an obviously unintentional shock.

“I was already in sprint mode…my bad, Scott.”

LeBron, Austin Reaves, and Scott Foster mic’d up on ABC ???? pic.twitter.com/TX8rGyYQzZ

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2023

The program for the next night

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, game 3, at 2:30 a.m. (French time)