BBNBA: The Nuggets blow out Timberwolves in Game 3 behind Jamal Murray's 24 points

AdamStrattonKSR

The Minnesota Timberwolves took a big dent in their invisibility armor on Friday, losing their first game of this year’s NBA Playoffs. They don’t lose often, but when they do, they really lose. The defending champion Denver Nuggets pounded the Wolves 117-90 in a game that got away early thanks to the smooth shooting of Jamal Murray.

The Blue Arrow has gotten more notoriety in this series for launching heating pads onto the court from the bench than he has for launching balls into the actual basket. In the first two games, Murray combined for 9-32 shooting, including 2-8 from behind the arc, and one $100,000 fine.

In Game 3, however, Murray put up a team-high 24 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals, and zero $100,000 fines.

The home team has yet to win a game in this unpredictable series, as this blowout victory in Minnesota was payback for when the Timberwolves did the same thing to the Nuggets in Denver in Game 2.

Karl-Anthony Towns started the game hot, scoring the first six points of the game for Minnesota on two deep 3s, but KAT finished with just eight points the rest of the game as he and his teammates could never find a groove.

Game 4 will tip off on Sunday at 8:00 pm on TNT.

The Knicks could have used Julius Randle in Game 3 loss

Over in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the series between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers has been a contentious one with both teams feeling the officiating has not exactly been stellar. One thing is for sure, the New York Knicks could really use Julius Randle right about now.

The former Wildcat turned two-time NBA All-Star had season-ending shoulder surgery back in April after dislocating it in January in a game against the Miami Heat. Even in his absence, the Knicks have played well and took a 2-0 series lead into Indianapolis on Friday.

However, without the lefty’s spin moves down low, the Knicks could not get past the young and scrappy Pacers, falling 111-106.

Former ‘Cat, Isaiah Jackson, got some run for Indiana, scoring four points and blocking a shot in 13 minutes off the bench.

Game 4 will take place in Indiana on Sunday with the Knicks holding a 2-1 series lead.

BBNBA Statistics for 4/11/2024

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Jamal Murray (DEN)	117-90 W vs. MIN	24	11-21 (2-5)	4	5	3	0	3	+21	38
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)	90-117 L vs. DEN	14	4-7 (4-5)	5	3	0	0	3	-32	33
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	111-106 W vs. NYK	4	2-3 (0-0)	2	1	0	1	0	-19	13
Julius Randle (NYK)