Denver Nuggets: 3 takeaways from crushing Game 3 loss vs. Spurs

The Denver Nuggets came up short against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3, and they have to learn what caused them to lose another close one.

The Denver Nuggets came up short in Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs as they lost 118-108. Their bench lineups did well, as each of their non-starters finished with a positive plus/minus, but their starters were torn up by the Spurs, especially second-year point guard Derrick White. White finished with a game-high 36 points on 15-of-21 shooting. He was a terror off the dribble, and also added three steals on the defensive end.

Nikola Jokic put up decent numbers with 22 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists, but the team just needed more from his fellow starters. After an electric fourth quarter in Game 2, Jamal Murray put up just six total shots on the night for six points.

The highest scorer among starters outside of Jokic was Paul Millsap with 14 points. By comparison, the Spurs had all five starters in double figures.

Game 4 will be absolutely critical for the Nuggets to keep their hopes alive in the series. They have to recognize what didn’t go well in this game, and they have to know what helped them win Game 2. All of the Golden State Warriors‘ jokes aside, a 3-1 deficit is nearly a death sentence when it comes to the playoffs. Against the veteran group of the Spurs, it’s a near-lock.