The Denver Nuggets are on the cusp of accomplishing something that has never been done in franchise history. With one more victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets will advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
To get there the Nuggets first have to avoid being on the wrong end of history. Denver is currently up 3-0 in the series over Los Angeles. No team in NBA history has ever lost a series after winning the first three games.
The Nuggets certainly don’t want to become the first, so they will have to continue playing at a high level to get that last win. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic isn’t taking anything for granted as he and his teammates are aware of who they are still matching up against.
“I mean, to be honest, I’m not going to say that I’m scared, but I’m worried because they have LeBron on the other side and he is capable of doing everything.” Jokic said. “We’re going to come here with the same mindset, same focus, and I think that’s going to put us in a situation to win a game.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
Jokic has had some big performances in the series, but the supporting cast for Denver has stepped up in a timely fashion. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came up big in the second half of Game 3 with Jokic in foul trouble and Jamal Murray cooling off after a scorching hot first half.
Led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers aren’t going to lay down. The odds are certainly stacked against them, but they are going to come out looking to extend this series and that starts by winning Game 4 on Monday night.
“But we never know. They’re going to be aggressive,” Jokic explained. “Of course, they’re going to be extra physical, extra — they’re going to run more, they’re going to — everything is going to be on a different level or one more of anything. So we will see.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
The Nuggets have taken every shot the Lakers have delivered and countered with one of their own. They have remained poised even when faced with some adversity, such as when Denver lost a 14-point lead in Game 3 but responded with a counter punch that ultimately knocked out Los Angeles.
You can be sure that Michael Malone will have his guys ready to go on Monday night as they look to close out the series in four games. Given how dominating the Miami Heat have been in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Nuggets will want to end their series as soon as possible to maximize their rest period before the NBA Finals begin should they be lucky enough to advance.
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