By Daniel Paiz

Denver bounced back in a big was as star players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each notched a triple-double en route to a 109-94 victory on the road. Jamal Murray had 34 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds while Jokic had 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists. This is the first time in NBA Finals history where two teammates earned triple-doubles in the same Finals game. This is also Jokic’s 10th triple-double of this postseason, and 16th triple-double of his postseason career.

Alongside these historic figures, rookie Christian Braun stepped up big off the bench, scoring 15 points and hustling on defense. Aaron Gordon also made his presence known in the paint, as he had a double-double of his own with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Miami had their stars burn bright, but their supporting cast was lukewarm throughout the night. Jimmy Butler had 28 points, and Bam Adebayo notched a double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Caleb Martin added 10 points off the bench, but that was about it for the eight seed.

Murray, Jokic, Adebayo, and Butler all played over 40 minutes in this game; Jokic (44) and Murray (45) seemed gassed in the end, while Adebayo (41) and Butler (40) also seemed a bit drained as the final buzzer sounded in Miami. Denver now leads the series 2-1.

Game 3 recap

Miami hits from the start, but Denver responded as the score is 9-8 Miami early at the eight-minute mark. Murray is largely scoring for Denver, while Miami continues to have a variety of scorers. Both teams know how important this game is. Nikola Jokic is also starting to get going, as Denver now leads 18-16 at the four-minute mark. Game is tied 24-24 after one quarter. Denver needs to keep attacking the paint as they lead that category 20-8. More Nuggets have to start scoring, however, as Jokic and Murray have combined for 18 of Denver’s first 24.

Bruce Brown hits Denver’s first three of the game, as previously they were 0-for-5 from three. A Jeff Green bucket has Denver opening the first two minutes on a five-point run to make it 29-24. Miami then has a five-point run of their own to tie it again at 29. At the 6:40 mark, Caleb Martin has reemerged, hitting two 3-pointers and making it 37-36.

Brown gets to the free throw line, as Denver needs to keep attacking the paint. Denver responds with a Murray three and it’s 41-37. Aaron Gordon slashing to the bucket makes it 51-46 with just over a minute to go. Denver holds the lead 53-48 at halftime, as Jokic already has a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Murray has 20 points. The other starters have to get going (which is also true for Miami outside of Adebayo and Butler).

Denver comes out swinging and has a 65-54 lead nearly halfway through the third. It’s the stars who are scoring, and it begs the question who will be the x-factor. The ball movement into the paint is helping Denver out, and it seems to be transitioning energy-wise at times on the defensive end. Jokic get a big block and he’s having himself a third with 12 points in this quarter alone. A Kentavious Caldwell-Pope score at the 1:59 mark of the third makes it 78-62 Denver (that was KCP’s first bucket, here’s to more from KCP and MPJ). Christian Braun is having his best game of the Finals, as he has 10 points. Nuggets hold an 82-68 lead at the end of three.

91-72 at the 8:45 mark largely due to Denver driving and dishing inside for high quality shots. Braun now has 13 points and Denver is starting to create some separation from the home team. 93-77 now as Adebayo and Miami are winning the effort battle on the boards at the 6:35 mark. 99-83 with 3:24 to go as Jokic is exhausted, Murray is tired of getting jabbed and pushed without foul calls, and the Nuggets are trying to end this one right now.

It’s unclear as to why they aren’t getting it to Gordon in the paint as he has mismatches, but at this point they want to burn clock. Jokic has five fouls, and the lead is 101-91 with 1:32 to go; this game isn’t over despite some fans leaving. Thankfully after hitting some free throws, Denver holds on for the 109-94 Game 3 road win.

Keys to Game 4

Denver won the rebounding battle and the assists battle, 58-33 and 28-20 respectively. Rebounding is such a critical part of the game, and Denver really focused on winning the battle on the glass. The defense was better from Denver as well, and there weren’t as many open three-point attempts for Miami. There were still some defensive lapses (largely Michael Porter Jr. and Jeff Green) and the Nuggets adjusted with more time from Braun and Brown on the court. There will need to be minimal miscues on Friday for Game 4 as the defense was vital to this Game 3 victory.

For Miami, it’s that typical question of who besides Adebayo and Butler steps up. Martin had 10 points, Kyle Lowry had nine and so did Duncan Robinson. Despite 28 bench points, it felt like Miami’s big two carried the Heat all night. The home team will need more of a response from the rest of the starters as well as the bench in order to avoid going down 3-1. Jokic and Murray combined for the same number of points Miami’s starting five scored (66 points).

Denver has an opportunity to really take command in Game 4; defense, after all, wins championships.