The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets, 118-108, at AT & T Center on Thursday night in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. The Spurs now lead the series, 2-1.
The Spurs (2-1) were likely itching to get the bad taste of the Game 2 loss out of their mouth, and they got off to a good start in that regard on their home court. San Antonio jumped out to a 31-22 lead through the first 12 minutes, and despite the Nuggets (1-2) putting a six point dent into that lead during the second period, the home squad still held a halftime advantage. The Spurs then kept their foot on the gas when it counted in the fourth quarter, repeatedly pulling away and separating for good with a 15-3 run just after the midway point of the final period.
Nikola Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with 22 points, adding eight rebounds and seven rebounds. Malik Beasley followed with 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Paul Millsap poured in 14 points. Gary Harris and Torrey Craig generated matching 12-point efforts while dishing out seven assists and pulling down six rebounds, respectively. Monte Morris furnished 10 points, seven assists and two rebounds.
Derrick White paced the Spurs with a career-high 36 points, adding five rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. DeMar DeRozan followed with 25 points and also supplied five assists, four rebounds and three steals. LaMarcus Aldridge registered an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included five assists and one block. Rudy Gay generated his first career postseason double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Jakob Poeltl and Bryn Forbes netted 10 points apiece.
The two teams face off for Game 4 at AT & T Center on Saturday night.