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Denver retakes lead in NBA Finals

By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno

June 8, 2023, 8:34 pm

MANILA – Denver banked on historic triple-doubles from Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic to reclaim the lead in the NBA Finals through a 109-94 Game 3 win against Miami on Thursday (Philippine Time) at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Murray led the Nuggets with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists with one steal, while Jokic added 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists with two blocks as they became the league's first set of teammates with 30-point triple-doubles.

Jokic's feat is already NBA history in itself as he became the first player to hit a 30-20-10 in a championship game.

“By far, their greatest performance as a duo in their seven years together,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat, who still threatened to pull off a comeback at home only to fizzle in the end, with 28 points, two rebounds, four assists and one block.

“That's on us as a group,” Butler said.

Bam Adebayo added 22 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and one block.

Game 4 is on Saturday (Philippine Time) still at the Kaseya Center with Miami looking to avoid a 1-3 hole before the best-of-seven series shifts back to the Ball Arena in Denver.

“We've got to come out with more energy and effort and that's correctable,” Butler vowed on behalf of the Heat. (PNA)

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