Lakers fall to 3–0 after disappointing Game 3 loss
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers lost their third straight series game on Saturday after a 119-108 loss to the Nuggets, putting them down 0-3 in the series.
The Nuggets' strengths have been too much for the Lakers through three games in the Western Conference Finals, as they find themselves in full desperation mode, down 3–0.
Jamal Murray continued his success from Game 2 into Game 3, scoring 30 first-half points and making almost every bucket he took. Murray finished with a game-high 37 points.
“Circumstances are what they are. Difficult but not impossible,” said head coach Darvin Ham.
No NBA team in playoff history has come back to win a series after being down 3-0. But don’t count the Lakers out just yet. They still have life.
Anthony Davis was the Lakers' leading scorer, with 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting for 61.1%. Davis also finished with 18 total rebounds and two blocks in 41 minutes.
LeBron James and Austin Reaves tied for the second-most points on the team with 23 apiece.
LeBron finished 3-for-9 from three for 33.3% and 8-for-19 overall from the field for 42.1%, adding 12 assists and seven rebounds in 42 minutes of action.
In 39 minutes, Reaves finished with seven rebounds, five rebounds, and a steal while shooting 3-for-5 from three for 60% and 7-for-10 overall for 70%.
D’Angelo Russell’s woes continued to bite the Lakers, as his confidence in the series has shrunk from game to game, scoring under 10 points for the second game in this Nuggets series.
Russell finished with 3 points on 1-for-6 shooting from three and 1–for-7 shooting overall.
Game 1 vs. Nuggets: 8 points, 0-3 from three, 4-11 shooting overall.
Game 2 vs. Nuggets: 10 points, 1-5 from three, 3-8 shooting overall.
Game 3 vs. Nuggets: 3 points, 1–6 from three, 1–7 shooting overall.
“Try to take advantage of the chance,” said Russell on the Lakers challenge, down 3–0. “Go watch the film to see what we can do to be better. For the guys who are getting shots, continue to make them.”
Game 4 will remain in Los Angeles on Monday at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN.
