(Miami) Jamal Murray had 34 points as the Denver Nuggets won 109-94 over the Heat in Miami on Wednesday to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
The Ontarian added 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Murray had 20 points in the first half, where he was three-for-five on three-pointers.
Carried by the Kitchener athlete and Nikola Jokic (32 points), the Nuggets often acted as they pleased against a Heat that was not opportunistic, not very combative and short of resources on offense.
“It was by far their best combined performance since they’ve been on the team,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
“Pure excellence,” added Aaron Gordon, who scored 11 points.
At the Heat, Jimmy Butler had 28 points and Bam Adebayo 22.
Beyond this duo, the only player for the club to reach the total of 10 points was Caleb Martin.
“You have to have more energy and give more effort,” Butler said. It can be corrected and it must be done collectively. »
The league’s most valuable player in 2021 and 2022, Serbian Jokic also had 21 rebounds and 10 assists.
It was the first time a player had reached 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in an NBA Finals game.
“I’m just happy we won,” Jokic said. It was a very important game, as they picked up a win at our home. »
The young Christian Braun shone with 15 points including six in 1: 47, in the third quarter.
The 22-year-old from Kansas also grabbed four rebounds.
Game 4 is Friday night in Miami.
Leading 53-48 at the half, the Nuggets took control by scoring the first six points of the third quarter.
In the fifth minute of that quarter, no one bothered Murray when he converted his own offensive rebound, bringing the cushion to 65-54.
Malone’s group led 82-68 after 36 minutes.
An illustration of how the game looked was when backup Braun had a steal followed by a dunk late in the third quarter.
The NBA said on Twitter that in the crowd were Magic Johnson, Dwyane Wade, Neymar, Chris Tucker and Shakira, among others.
The Nuggets are taking part in the final for the first time in their history.
The Heat won the championship in 2006, 2012 and 2013.
