By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray became the first teammates in NBA Finals history to both record triple-doubles, and gave back to the Nuggets the lead in the series by beating the Miami Heat 109-94 in Game 3.
The Serb star finished with 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists, the first such game in NBA Finals history. Murray had 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, getting the rebound he needed with 9 seconds remaining.
Officially, Jokic is now the seventh player to have two triple-doubles in the same finals. Magic Johnson and LeBron James each did it in three different finals. Draymond Green, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird and Butler all had one title series with two triple-doubles.
It was his 10th triple-double of these playoffs, extending his single-season record, and he was unbothered by whatever Miami threw his way. Jokic finished 12-for-21 from the floor, 7-for-8 from the line, playing 44 minutes.
Christian Braun was tremendous off the bench for the Nuggets, scoring 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting in 19 minutes. Aaron Gordon added 11 for Denver.
The Nuggets outrebounded the Heat 58-33, and took a 2-1 lead.
Jimmy Butler scored 28 points for Miami, and Bam Adebayo finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Caleb Martin added 10 points for Miami.