Denver Nuggets send Game 3 to OT grab 2 1 lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder

DENVER – Jamal Murray scored 27 points as the Denver Nuggets used their play-off experience to dominate overtime, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 at home in Game 3 of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference semi-finals on May 9.

“I think late in the games, you can rely on what you’ve seen and felt and done. You can feel a game that maybe you played a couple of years ago,” Nuggets interim coach David Adelman said about the team’s play-off experience.

Centre Nikola Jokic missed all 10 of his three-point attempts and finished eight-for-25 from the field at Ball Arena, but ended the night with 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Nuggets, who lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.

Game 4 is on May 11 in Denver.

Forward Aaron Gordon scored 22 points, including a tying bucket in the final minute of regulation, and forward Michael Porter Jr went five-for-six from deep and finished with 21 points for the Nuggets, who finished 39-for-85 from the field (45.9 per cent).

“We’ve been in this situation before, we stayed poised. (Aaron Gordon) hit that big three to send it to overtime, like he’s done all play-offs. Huge win,” Porter said about Denver’s ability to secure victories in close games.

Forward Jalen Williams scored 32 points for Oklahoma City, who were one-for-seven from the field in overtime with two turnovers.

Forward Chet Holmgren had 18 points and 16 rebounds and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, who were 40-for-104 (38.5 per cent) from the field.

“One thing that it takes to be a great team is you get taken to the limit in the play-offs, and you’ve got to rise to the challenges that you’re confronted with,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.

“This team’s