NBA: Murray to the rescue as Nuggets control Lakers

Jamal Murray scored 28 points as the Denver Nuggets endured a fierce late comeback from the Los Angeles Lakers to return to the fight in the Western Conference finals series on Tuesday.

Murray nailed two crucial 3s in the final minutes in the final minutes as Denver held on to a 114-106 win in Game 3 to cut the Lakers’ best-of-seven lead to 2-1.

But the Nuggets, who appeared to be in total control for long stretches of the game, got a big scare from the Lakers in an exciting battle in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers had lost by 20 points with just over 10 minutes left in the game, but they cut Denver’s lead to just three points with 3 minutes and 53 seconds left in Orlando.

But just when it looked like LeBron James and Anthony Davis were ready to complete a remarkable comeback, Murray regrouped to take the game away from the Lakers.

The 23-year-old Canadian’s 3-pointer from 26 feet gave Denver a seven-point lead at 106-99 and then provided the assist for Paul Millsap to make it 108-99.

With less than a minute left, Murray struck the dagger with a 29-foot three-point jump shot to make it 111-99 and effectively seal the victory.

The Lakers, meanwhile, were left to mull over an uneven display that ultimately left James and Davis with a lot to do.

James led the score with a triple-double composed of 30 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, with six turnovers. Davis had 27 points, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (12) and Kyle Kuzma (11) the only other Lakers players to achieve double figures.

Murray, who also had 12 assists, was backed up with 26 points from Jerami Grant while Nikola Jokic intervened with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Game four of the series takes place in Orlando on Thursday.