By far, their greatest performance as a duo in their seven years together – Michael Malone lauds Jokic and Murray after Game 3 win against Heat

 

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone showered praise on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray after their convincing Game Three win in the NBA Finals against Miami Heat on Wednesday night. The Nuggets toppled the Heat by 109-94 after Jokic and Murray each posted triple-doubles.

Malone feels it was by far the duo’s greatest performance in the seven years together at the team. Jokic finished with 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists whereas Murray had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as these two were at their absolute best for the Nuggets.

After a 24-24 first quarter, the Nuggets took a five-point lead after the first half was done. The Nuggets strengthened their grip on the game after they took the third quarter by 29-20.

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

In fact, Malone had slammed the team’s lack of effort in the second game of the series, which they lost by 111-10 and Murray was determined to turn the tables in the crucial fixture of the NBA finals.

“The last shot felt good,” Murray said. “It was more like throughout the game. I felt like I didn’t bring the intensity that the moment called for.

“Even though I didn’t play terrible, I felt like I could have done a lot more.”

Meanwhile, Jokic smashed 12 points and six rebounds in the third quarter to help his team put their noses in front.

“I think it speaks for itself, bro,” Murray said of Jokic’s stat line. “How many times does he have to do that for you guys to believe in his game or our game or whatever?

“Like, he’s doing it, making it look so easy, good shooting, low turnovers, two blocked shots, got great hands, great communication in the pick-and-rolls, and I.Q. and all that. We’re running out of things to say.”

The fourth game of the NBA finals will be played on Thursday night.