By Daniel Paiz

Denver was focused on reducing their turnovers from Game 2. They did a decent job but also reduced their scoring on the road. Nuggets can’t hit their shots and fall 117-83, trailing in the series 2-1 after this Game 3 debacle.

Nikola Jokic through it all still recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists. This is the 166th triple-double of his career. Jamal Murray added 23 points, and Aaron Gordon contributed 15 points and seven rebounds while battling through his calf injury flaring up.

The Los Angeles Clippers had 22 points from their two main bench guys. They had 31 bench points overall as reserves largely played the second half of the fourth quarter. Game 4 is Saturday in LA.

Game 3 Recap

Defense

There have to be adjustments made by this Denver basketball club. Too many times, they shrink into the paint just for a guy to take an open three from the pass out of the paint. Too many times, they watch the ball and don’t box out or even stay with the guy they’re guarding to get the long rebound. Defense is something you can sometimes brush aside when scoring a whole bunch.

That wasn’t tonight.

Three starters (Jokic, Murray, Gordon) scored in double digits. Gordon has been dealing with a calf issue all season, and you could tell from his effort tonight in the second half it was bothering him. Jokic vastly improved, reducing his turnovers from seven to two. Murray had a decent shooting night and hit all of his free throws. The rest of the team wasn’t really in it. Nobody can win three on five, or three on seven if you count the two clippers bench guys with double digit scoring.

Shooting woes

LA hit their shots in the first half, and a majority of those were contested. Denver couldn’t hit buckets, which was compounded by having to hustle back and play defense. At halftime, the clippers were shooting 55 percent from three, 51 percent from the field, and 88 percent from the free throw line. Conversely, Denver was at 41 percent from the field, 28 percent from three, and 55 percent from the charity stripe. By the end of the game, Denver improved the free throw shooting, but not much else.

Michael Porter Jr. seemed to be dealing with his shoulder, due to possibly slightly injuring it diving for a loose ball late in Game 2. He didn’t have the same impact on the boards in Game 3. Russell Westbrook also seemed to be dealing with something too, as he played nine minutes.

Keys to Game 4

In the playoffs, teams have an abysmal game and this was it. Game 2 wasn’t great, but by comparison it was a work of art. Combine the scoring of Game 2 and the reduced turnovers of Game 3 and that’s a start. Denver also needs to create more turnovers, and get as many defensive stops as possible. The whistle clearly is not going to go the Nuggets’ way, so playing aggressive and through it is essential.

Game 4 is a must-win, and the squad from Mile High knows it.

Bonus Content

Check out episode 3 of Mile High Recap with Plumas Poetic below.