Gordon, Jokic propel Nuggets near sweep, top Lakers 112-105 in Game 3

Armed with a championship pedigree and a seasoned core, the Denver Nuggets continue to pose a significant challenge for any NBA team, particularly the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver extended its dominant streak over the Lakers to 11 consecutive victories after securing a 112-105 win in Game 3 of their first-round series, pushing the Lakers to the brink of an early off-season.

Aaron Gordon led the charge with a playoff career-best 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic nearly notched a triple-double with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. Jamal Murray contributed 22 points, helping the Nuggets claim their seventh consecutive playoff victory over LeBron James and his team. Despite falling behind by double digits in all three games, Denver has demonstrated resilience and a strong finish.

After the game, Jokic acknowledged the increasing difficulty of facing the same team repeatedly, praising the Lakers’ capabilities and resilience. Michael Porter Jr., who scored 20 points, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the challenge of maintaining their winning streak against a tough opponent.

Looking ahead, Game 4 is set for Saturday night in Los Angeles, with the Lakers facing a daunting task; no NBA team has ever overcome a 0-3 deficit in the playoffs.

For the Lakers, Anthony Davis delivered a strong performance with 33 points and 15 rebounds, and James added 26 points and nine assists. Despite this, the Lakers have struggled to secure a win against the Nuggets since December 16, 2022.

The Lakers entered the playoffs on a high note, clinching the seventh seed with a notable play-in victory over New Orleans. However, they now find themselves one loss away from not winning a playoff series for the third time in four years since their 2020 NBA championship.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham credited the Nuggets’ championship-level confidence and the strong cohesion of their starting lineup. In contrast, the Lakers struggled from beyond the arc and received little support beyond Davis and James. D’Angelo Russell, in particular, went scoreless and missed all his attempts from the field.

The Nuggets, who began their title defense strongly with two initial home wins, demonstrated their prowess by erasing a 20-point deficit in Game 2, culminating in Murray’s buzzer-beater. In Game 3, they transformed a halftime deficit into a 10-point lead by the third quarter, decisively pulling away from the Lakers who could not close the gap in the final period.

As the game concluded, some Lakers fans voiced their frustration, reflecting the high stakes and intense pressure facing the team as they try to avoid elimination in the upcoming game.