Initial observations from Los Angeles after Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Nuggets and Lakers.
— 1. Joker escapes slog.
What’s even crazier than Jamal Murray’s historic run? In the same 24-minute span when Murray amassed 40 points — the fourth quarter of Game 2 and the first quarter of Game 3 — Nikola Jokic did not score a single point. The Nuggets outscored the Lakers 64-44 during that consequential stretch anyway, picking up their two-time MVP as he suddenly went into an extended cold stretch. When the Lakers sliced Denver’s long-gone 14-point lead to 66-63 and forced a timeout in the third quarter, Jokic had just back-rimmed a 6-foot floater that’s usually automatic for him. He was 3 for 11 from the field in the game at that point, and he picked up his fourth foul moments later. When Jokic missed his first two shots of the fourth quarter, he was seven for his last 27 dating back to Game 2. Then he proceeded to deliver a 15-point final frame to help Denver put away LA.
