Michael Malone Says Nikola Jokic And Jamal Murray Had Their Greatest Performance As A Duo In Game 3

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both had 30-point triple-doubles in Game 3, causing Michael Malone to declare it their greatest performance together.

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Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets pulled off a strong Game 3 win over the Miami Heat to take a 2-1 series lead after faltering in a close loss in Game 2. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray almost single-handedly ensured the Nuggets took this game.

Jokic had 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists on the night, while Murray had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to become the first pair of teammates to have 30-point triple-doubles in the NBA Finals. Michael Malone declared this their greatest performance as a duo. 

“I’ve been with Nikola [Jokic] for eight [years] and Jamal [Murray] for seven years now. We’ve had some pretty good moments. But not in the NBA Finals and for those guys to make history the way they did tonight, no one’s ever done that… By far their greatest performance as a duo in their seven years together.” 

Murray and Jokic managed to singlehandedly outplay all five of Miami’s starters. The duo combined for 66 points, 31 rebounds, and 20 assists; meanwhile, the Heat’s five starters combined for 66 points, 25 rebounds, and 12 assists. This was a generational performance that will be a highlight of their careers until they retire.


No Answer For Nikola Jokic And Jamal Murray

The Heat were able to restrict Murray to under 20 points in Game 2, and it was a major factor behind why they were able to win that game. Tonight, the same Murray that was hitting daggers on the Lakers showed up with a breathtaking offensive performance. We’ve come to expect big performances from Jokic, but it seems Murray may be right next to him in terms of his incredible playoff contributions. 

The Heat’s duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are clearly not able to contain Murray and Jokic or outscore them. Butler and Adebayo combined for 50 points, but both were inefficient and didn’t have the defensive impact the team needs them to have. Jokic is comfortably scoring on Bam, while Butler isn’t guarding Murray as often to try and restrict the various perimeter options that the Nuggets have.

The talent disparity is shining through right now, and the Heat will need to rely on their fundamental principles to keep beating teams that have more talent than them.  

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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