Los Angeles USA – The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 112-105 on Thursday night to maintain their dominant play against them and to take a dominant 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Denver has defeated LeBron James and his Lakers team for the eleventh time in a row with this victory.
Dominant Denver Offense:
The Nuggets’ offense was on fire, led by a monster performance from Aaron Gordon (29 points, 15 rebounds). Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic put up another well-rounded stat line with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists. Jamal Murray chipped in with 22 points, and Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points. Denver took control of the game in the crucial third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 24-10 and never looking back.
Lakers’ Struggles Continue:
LeBron James and Anthony Davis were once again impressive, combining for 59 points. However, the rest of the Lakers’ offense sputtered. Their normally reliable third scoring option, D’Angelo Russell, went scoreless in 24 minutes, missing all seven of his shots. Los Angeles bricked their first 15 three-point attempts and struggled to keep pace with Denver’s offensive versatility.
Frustration Mounts in Los Angeles:
The Lakers’ frustration boiled over after blowing a 20-point lead in Game 2. Following the loss, Anthony Davis expressed confusion about the team’s strategy against Denver. These problems persisted in Game 3, leaving the Lakers one loss away from elimination and potentially ending LeBron James’ 21st season. The home crowd expressed their disappointment with chants of “Fire Darvin!” towards Lakers coach Darvin Ham.
Bench Woes for the Lakers:
While James, Davis, and Reaves provided scoring support, the rest of the Lakers’ bench remained largely silent. Rui Hachimura only managed 5 points, and Spencer Dinwiddie’s 8 points were the only other scoring contribution off the bench. The Lakers sorely missed the injured Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, and Christian Wood.
Looking Ahead Nuggets:
The Nuggets appear unstoppable, showcasing their championship-caliber offense and stifling defense. They’ve comfortably handled a talented Lakers team through three games and seem poised for another deep playoff run. The pressure is now on the Lakers, who face elimination in Game 4 back in Los Angeles. Coach Ham will need to find a way to unlock his offense and limit Denver’s scoring if they want to avoid a sweep and extend their season.
