![]() ![]() This time the Lakers were the first seed, and the Nuggets were the eighth seed. Once again the Lakers and Nuggets faced each other in the first round. Despite the great individual efforts by English, however, the Lakers won two of the three games he was available in before going on to win the NBA championship versus the Celtics in six games. Alex English played extremely well for the Nuggets for three games, but was hurt and missed the final two. In a best-of-seven series in the Western Conference Finals, the top-seeded Lakers beat the second-seeded Nuggets in 5 games. lost in the semi-finals versus the eventual 1979 champions the Seattle SuperSonics, the final Sonics (and eventually Thunder) championship at the time of this writing. However, it was the continued scoring of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamal Wilkes and Adrian Dantley - who each had at least 23 points - that allowed the Lakers to win the series 2-1. The Nuggets all had their starters score in double figures, with David Thompson leading the way with 28 points. After the Nuggets won Game 1 and the Lakers took Game 2, it set up a pivotal Game 3 in Denver - this is the only time the Nuggets had ever previously had homecourt advantage against the Lakers. In 1979, the first-round of the playoffs was a best-of-three series. When it fell, it not only silenced the crowd, but it compelled Jokic’s other brother, Strahinja, to erupt out of his seat and roar in approval.The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets have faced each other seven times in the NBA playoffs, dating all the way back to 1979.Īhead of their upcoming eighth showdown in 2023, let's look back at those prior playoff series. “I love when he’s in that zone,” Malone deadpanned before the game.Īfter an early Jokic air-ball drew jeers from the home crowd, the two-time reigning MVP stepped confidently into another 3-pointer from the top of the arc. Caldwell-Pope sniped three first-half 3-pointers and Murray continued picking apart Minnesota’s defense with 11 of his own. Jokic pounded the paint for 11 points, often bullying Gobert inside. In building their double-digit margin, the Nuggets had myriad contributors. His counterpart, Towns, responded after two difficult games with 13 points early of his own. The stocky guard slashed through the lane for 13 points before the break. “When teams are desperate, they’re scary,” Malone warned.įor Denver, there was no scarier sight than Edwards, downhill, in transition. Malone had implored his team to stay hungry and desperate, a mind game that might give them a mental edge in Game 3. Turnovers led to transition runouts, and the Nuggets breathed life back into Target Center. When the Wolves cut a 13-point first-half margin to 61-55 at halftime, it was the same movie all over again. ![]() “That was a snapshot of how and when they’re at their best,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said before the game. But displeased because he didn’t have a free throw attempt through three quarters, Jokic ran back down the floor slapping both arms and his chest in a hilarious attempt to show the referees where he was being hit. Next, Jokic had his moment, scoring on Rudy Gobert down low. He buried a quick 3-pointer, then lowered his shoulder and attacked on consecutive baskets. Just like he did to start the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s Game 2, Porter Jr. Their 57% shooting was a testament to their dominance. It was a resounding statement win and one the Nuggets didn’t need to have but they wanted, badly, anyway.Īnthony Edwards’ 36 points paced Minnesota, and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 27 kept it relatively close, but Denver led the entire second half. paced Denver with 25 points and four 3-pointers.ĭenver owned the paint (60-52) and dominated the glass (40-32). Jokic’s 20-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound triple-double earned the headlines, but six Nuggets finished with double figures. ![]() The Nuggets’ 120-111 win gave Denver a commanding 3-0 lead in this first-round playoff series with a chance to end it on Sunday. Murray’s devilish dish to Jokic late in the fourth quarter may as well have been salt in the wound. In what was expected to be a tense Game 3 here Friday night, the Nuggets were in complete control as they dashed Minnesota’s hopes of making this a competitive playoff series. MINNEAPOLIS – Despite the magnitude of the moment, Jamal Murray didn’t hesitate whipping a behind-the-back pass through the lane to his favorite dance partner, Nikola Jokic. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menu ![]()
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