By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Denver Nuggets sank timely baskets to further cushion their lead and avoid a meltdown to take Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, 114-106.
Nikola Jokic continued his stellar performance after manhandling the Lakers’ interior in the first half, bullying his way underneath and draining contested fade-away jumpers while also feeding wide-open corner shooters Monte Morris and Michael Porter Jr.
The Denver reserve also had their best game of the series after Morris hurt the Lakers defense by scoring 14 while Porter Jr. chipped in 9 mostly from aggressive drives to the basket.
Probably the X-factor of the game, Jerami Grant, who was in foul trouble the past two games and having difficulties in guarding Lebron James and chasing Danny Green off screens, had another career night after stepping up to a higher gear and torched the Lakers with 26 huge points.
Grant played tremendously in the pick-and-pop and drove hard to the basket to fish for fouls.
Playoff Rajon Rondo looked to be in full display and ran the show for the purple and gold in the fourth quarter that diminished a 20-point Nuggets lead to just 4, 99-103, with under four minutes left in regulation.
Rondo pick-pocketed Murray twice and dished several assists to pump up the surging Lakers but the resilient Nuggets team answered back bigtime and left James and his squad in awe with their own 8-0 run.
Jamal Murray put the icing on the cake after converting two crucial treys who finished the game with 28 points, 12 assists, and 8 boards.
