Game 3 NBA FINALS – Highlights

The Heats have dominated comebacks in their earlier playoffs, mounting seven victories following deficits of no less than 12 points. In Game 3 of the NBA FINALS, at the start of the fourth quarter, the Heats trailed by 14 points, and Nuggets coach Michael Malone warned his team about Miami’s propensity for comebacks.

Coach Malone gave the team a summary of the comebacks that the Heat has had in this season. The team rose to the challenge and rallied. 

By defeating Heat 109-94 in Game 3 on Wednesday, Denver’s two stars ensured that the Nuggets regained the series lead. The first teammates in the annals of the NBA Finals to both register triple-doubles were Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic .

Jokic concluded the game with 32 points, 10 assists, and 21 rebounds in just 44 minutes of action. This was a first for an NBA Finals game, or at least since assists have been tracked. Murray scored 34 points, with 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. With 9 seconds left, he got the crucial rebound.

The Nuggets now lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 to be played on Friday in Miami.

For the Nuggets, Aaron Gordon added 11 points and Christian Braun scored a fantastic 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting in 19 minutes.

NBA FINALS Game 3 Progression

In Game 2 the Heat had limited Jokic to only four assists. Their strategy for Game 3 was similar, where Butler’s defence of the Denver point guard prevented Murray from scoring but, this time the Nuggets’ stars came out in force. This was evident in Nuggets introduction of some tactical changes in Game 3, such as Jokic positioning Murrays screens at more angles to improve passing. Additionally, Murray and Jokic, two of the NBA’s finest offensive players, who also happened to be Nuggets best playoff performers delivered majority of their class shots from the field, in Game 3.

In the second half, Miami never held the lead. With 3:18 remaining in the first half, Adebayo scored a dunk to give the Heat a 44-42 lead. Murray then made a 3-pointer to give the Heat their seventh and last lead shift in the game. At halftime, the score was 53-48.

The Third Quarter Taking The Game Away for Heats

In the third quarter, Denver increased the advantage to double figures for the first time and went on to lead by as many as 19. Jokic and Murray gave Denver a double-digit lead and made sure it stayed there by making clutch shots to thwart another Heat rally.

The advantage soon grew to 21, the outcome was never in serious doubt, and Jokic appeared to be back in steering wheel. With 1:22 left, Duncan Robinson’s 3-pointer for the Heat brought Miami within nine points, minus any fireworks for Miami.

The Heat Contributors

Jimmy Butler tallied 28 points, while Bam Adebayo scored 22 points with 17 rebounds and Caleb Martin contributing 10 points.

The Heat were unable to slow down Denver’s great scorers in the second half, despite Butler and Adebayo—two of the NBA’s best defenders. 

No Stopping This Time The offensive Stars of Denver in NBA FINALS Game 3

But Denver prevailed because Nikola and Murray turned a close game into a rout almost entirely by themselves. 

Game 3 of the Finals was expected to be a game to remember but it ended up being remembered for something altogether different, as one of the best duet performances in NBA history took place there on the grandest platform.