After losing Game 2 in the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets were able to bounce back and take a 2-1 series lead with a Game 3 win.
The Denver Nuggets took Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals, and it felt like it was going to be a short series. But, in Game 2, the Miami Heat bounced back, with their starters and bench stepping up to tie the series up before heading back to South Beach. Nuggets head coach Mike Malone was critical of his team's effort not only in Game 2 but also in the NBA Finals opener.
Could the Nuggets withstand the Heat and take the lead in the NBA Finals? That answer was yes.
On Wednesday, the Nuggets defeated the Heat 109-94 to take a 2-1 lead.
Denver had big games from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic is the first player in history to have a 30-point, 20-rebound, and 10-assist game in an NBA Finals game. As for Murray, he scored 34 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. With that, they are the first teammates in history to record a triple-double each in an NBA Finals game.
Let's take a look at the reactions from NBA Twitter.
NBA Twitter reacts to Nuggets Game 3 win to take command over Heat
Besides the performances by Jokic and Murray, the NBA world took notice of Nuggets rookie Christian Braun. Denver selected Braun with the 22nd overall pick out of Kentucky in this past year's NBA Draft.
In the game, Braun was a near sure-fire bucket, as he made 7-of-8 shots from the field for 15 points. His lone miss was his only three-point shot. Besides that, Braun recorded four rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 19 minutes played.
As for the Heat, Jimmy Butler scored 28 points after making 11-of-24 shots from the field, while recording four assists and two rebounds.
Bam Adebayo secured a double-double by scoring 22 points (7-of-21 from the field) and hauling in 17 rebounds (11 defensive).
Game 4 will take place on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET. Will the Heat be able to tie the series up again? Or will the Nuggets take a 3-1 lead to head back to Denver for Game 5?
