BBNBA: Murray and SGA Both Struggle in Game 3s

On3 imageby:Zack Geoghegan04/19/19

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(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Good morning, folks. So Jamal Murray might not be officially *back*. Let’s talk NBA Playoffs.

RECAP

(3) Sixers – 131 @ (6) Nets – 115 (PHI leads 2-1)

  • The Philadelphia 76ers were without their All-Star and best player Joel Embiid against the Brooklyn Nets in Game 3. It might have been the most complete game Philly has played through the first round.
  • Ben Simmons poured in a playoff career-high of 31 points to finally silence the “beef” between himself and Nets forward Jared Dudley (not sure how someone at a level such as Simmons can get in the middle of petty dad-level beef with Jared freaking Dudley but whatever). The Nets begged Simmons to attack the basket, giving him endless amounts of room to do so, and he burned them all night for it. Simmons also shot 11-13 from the field in addition to nine assists. Tobias Harris and JJ Redick combined for 55 points while D’Angelo Russell and Caris LeVert both added 26 points apiece for the Nets.

(2) Nuggets – 108 @ (7) Spurs – 118 (SAS leads 2-1)

  • Well, the thought of a Jamal Murray revival sure was fun for about 36 hours, until Denver went to San Antonio for Game 3. Murray posted a mere six points on 2-6 shooting to go along with only two assists and four turnovers as he watched Spurs guard Derrick White pop off for a career-high 36 points (remember when I said a week ago that White is really good? Well, turns out he is, indeed, really good). Murray was minus-25 in 31 minutes.
  • Every time the Nuggets would break out for a lead or go on a run, the Spurs always had an answer, often time in the form of their own double-digit runs. San Antonio has still yet to lose at home against Denver this season and they boast one of the best home-court records in the entire league. Game 4 might just be a must-win for Denver. They’re gonna have to steal one on the road at this point.

(1) Warriors – 132 @ (8) Clippers – 105 (GSW leads 2-1)

  • With the sad news of DeMarcus Cousins being lost for the season still resonating, the Warriors didn’t let that distract them from pounding the Clippers and making a statement in Game 3. Los Angeles found themselves down 31 once again in this game – just as they were in Game 2 before a miraculous comeback – but there was no fighting their way out of this one. Kevin Durant was way too hot (38 points in 30 minutes). Steph Curry had 21 in 20 minutes despite dealing with foul trouble. Over half of the Clippers starters couldn’t buy a bucket. The writing was all over the wall in this one. There would be no matching comeback.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled in Game 3, recording seven points on 1-7 shooting while dishing out only two assists. He was a minus-33 in 22 minutes of action. Keldon Johnson and John Calipari were also at Staples Center to watch SGA.
  • Check out the full stat sheet below.

STATISTICS

[table id=338 /]

TONIGHT IN THE NBA

7:00 (ESPN): Raptors (Meeks) @ Magic (Tied 1-1)

8:30 (ABC): Celtics @ Pacers (BOS leads 2-0)

9:30 (ESPN): Trail Blazers (Kanter, Labissiere) @ Thunder (Diallo-out, Noel, Patterson) (POR leads 2-0)

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