(CNN) — The Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 109-94 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to go 2-1 in the series.
Both teams came out exchanging baskets. Nuggets star Nikola Jokic nearly scored a triple-double in the first quarter, scoring 10 points and adding seven rebounds and three assists.
With the score tied early in the second quarter, the Heat’s Caleb Martin perked up and scored eight straight points, including two 3-pointers, to give Miami the lead. However, Nuggets player Jamal Murray continued his strong first half, scoring 20 points and providing four assists to give Denver a 53-48 lead before halftime.
Game two was all for the Nuggets, who extended the lead to 16 points at one point. Christian Braun, a 2022 Nuggets first-round pick, gave Denver a boost from the bench, scoring 15 points on 7-8 shooting.
The Nuggets’ second-half streak ended the energy of Miami’s Kaseya Center.
With less than a minute left in the game and the score out of reach, 20-year-old NBA veteran Udonis Haslem entered the game for Miami, becoming the oldest player to play in a Finals game. of the NBA at the age of 42.
Jokic, a two-time MVP, finished the game with 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the first player in NBA Finals history to record a 30-20-10 triple-double. It was also Jokic’s third 30-20-10 triple-double in the playoffs.
Murray also had a triple-double, with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Heat star forward Jimmy Butler scored 28 points and teammate Bam Adebayo added 22 points and 17 rebounds.
Game 4 is scheduled for Friday in Miami.
