Sports

Nuggets On Brink Of NBA Finals With 119-108 Win Over Lakers In Game 3

Published

12 months ago

2023-05-21

(LOS ANGELES) LAKERS– While mired in foul trouble, Nikola Jokic was far from his usual dominant form, and Jamal Murray cooled off after a blistering first half. The Denver Nuggets’ early lead vanished completely in the fourth quarter of Game 3, and the Lakers’ home audience erupted.

The Nuggets overcame every setback and took control with the champions’ calm, deliberate elegance.

With one more win, they can compete for their first rings.

Murray scored 37 points, Jokic added 24 points and eight assists, and the Nuggets defeated the Lakers 119-108 on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half for the top-seeded Nuggets, who have never been this close to the NBA Finals in their 47-year history. Denver is making its fifth consecutive playoff appearance, and the championship game is now just one win away.

“I learn a lot about this team every time we play,” Caldwell-Pope said. “We have that dog mentality where, whether up or down, we’re going to fight and play our game at a high level.” We will keep doing that for the rest of the games.”

Denver lost a 14-point lead in Game 3 but used a decisive 13-0 run in the fourth quarter to halt the Lakers’ nine-game home winning streak dating back to March 26, including seven straight wins since the regular season concluded.

“This group is capable of doing great things, and they believe,” said Denver coach Michael Malone. “Belief is a very powerful thing.”

In the history of the NBA, no club has returned from a 3-0 series disadvantage. Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night in Los Angeles.

“They’re going to do everything in their power to come back and fight on their home floor,” Murray said. “We know it’s coming, and all we have to do is stay focused and believe we can do it.”

The seventh-seeded Lakers, hadn’t lost three straight games since early February.

The seventh-seeded Lakers, who hadn’t lost three straight games since early February, were led by Anthony Davis, who had 28 points and 18 rebounds. Los Angeles’ protracted, frantic push since the trade deadline has finally peaked against the Nuggets, who have won five straight playoff games.

“They’ve been at the top of the food chain for a reason, and have a plethora of guys that can hurt you, as was on full display tonight,” said Lakers coach Darvin Ham. “However, circumstances are what they are. It will be difficult, but not impossible.”

Los Angeles’ LeBron James finished with 23 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds, making three 3-pointers after going 0 for 13 in the series. Austin Reaves contributed 23 points and seven rebounds, but Rui Hachimura was the only other Lakers player to reach double figures, with 13 points.

“Our backs have probably been against the wall for the last two months, maybe more, since the trade deadline,” Reaves said. “I’m swinging and throwing punches to get to this opportunity… We can either come out and go home on Monday, or we can fight for another day. And I know what that answer will be given the set of guys we have.”

Jokic’s four-game stretch of triple-doubles ended in a relatively quiet game for the two-time MVP, who picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter. On the other hand, Murray scored 17 points in a thrilling first quarter after a 23-point fourth quarter the night before, and he had 30 points by the halftime of Game 3.

Bruce Brown scored 15 points for the Nuggets and nailed a clutch 3-pointer down the stretch before Jokic iced it with a 3-pointer with 3:17 remaining.

Lakers supporters turned out in numbers for the 17-time champion team’s first conference finals games at home since 2010. Los Angeles attempted frantically to get back into the series, with James playing 43 minutes after spraining his left ankle in Game 2 and already having a sore right foot.

Lakers supporters turned out in numbers for the 17-time champion team’s first conference finals games at home since 2010.

But the Nuggets’ travel to the coast didn’t dampen Murray’s spirits: after torching the Lakers in Game 2, the Canadian guard scored his first five shots in Game 3 and poured in 17 points in the first quarter – despite Jokic going scoreless for the second quarter in a row.

Murray’s fourth 3-pointer of the night made him 11 of 13 from the field for 26 points midway through the second quarter, putting him on pace to score more than half of Denver’s points. Reaves and Davis kept the Lakers in the game, with Reaves scoring 15 points, dishing out three assists, and grabbing three rebounds in the second quarter alone.

Early in the fourth, Hachimura’s 3-pointer gave the Lakers their first lead since the opening minutes, but the Nuggets rallied again, led by Brown’s 3-pointer with 7:02 remaining, after which he teased the Lakers’ bench with Los Angeles’ famous “Freeze” 3-point celebration.

D’Angelo Russell struggled again for the Lakers, scoring three points on one of eight attempts in 20 minutes. Russell was the most important addition to the Lakers’ trade deadline turnaround, but he has only 21 points in this three-game series.

TIP-INS

Aaron Gordon scored seven points in 32 minutes for the Nuggets… Michael Porter Jr. finished with 14 points and ten rebounds, including a 3-pointer in the final 90 seconds.

Backup C for the Lakers, Mo Bamba, missed his tenth straight game due to a painful left ankle. The squad is hoping that Bamba can participate at some time during this series. Jack Nicholson, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Andy Garcia, Dyan Cannon, Ken Jeong, Joel McHale, LA Kings captain Anze Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty, and Khalil Mack, Derwin James, and Sebastian Joseph-Day from the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense were among those in attendance.

SOURCE – (AP)

Sports

Miami Dolphins Agree To Sign Odell Beckham Jr. To A 1-Year Contract

Published

9 hours ago

2024-05-03

Kiara Grace

AP News - VOR News Image

Miami Gardens, Florida – The Miami Dolphins have agreed to sign wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year contract, a source informed The Associated Press on Friday.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract had not yet been formalized.

The NFL Network initially reported on the pact, estimated to be valued at up to $8.25 million.

USA Today – VOR News Image

Miami Dolphins Agree To Sign Odell Beckham Jr. To A 1-Year Contract

Beckham, 31, will be joining his sixth franchise, having previously played for the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore, Cleveland, and the New York Giants, who drafted him 12th overall in 2014. He won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021-22.

Beckham will join Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins’ receiving yards leader last year, and Jaylen Waddle, his fast opponent. Hill and Waddle combined for more yards (2,813) than any other wide receiver tandem in the NFL in 2023, but Miami lacked depth at wide receiver beyond those two.

The Ravens released Beckham in March after he had 35 catches for 565 yards and three scores with Baltimore last season. He visited the Dolphins earlier in the offseason and received an offer, but the two parties have yet to reach a deal.

NBC – VOR News Image

Miami Dolphins Agree To Sign Odell Beckham Jr. To A 1-Year Contract

“Things went great with him,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated in March. We made him an offer, and business takes time, especially with someone like Odell, who has had a fantastic career and still has a lot of football and choices ahead of him. I’m completely ready to teach him if we can reach a deal, and I believe both sides are working toward that goal. “We will see what happens.

Beckham established himself as one of the league’s top receivers throughout his first three seasons with the Giants. He had three consecutive 1,300-yard seasons after being drafted by New York out of LSU, and he grabbed one of the most memorable touchdowns in NFL history in his rookie season when he extended his body, leaping backward and reaching as far as he could with one hand to pull in a 43-yard pass from Eli Manning.

Sun – VOR News Image

Miami Dolphins Agree To Sign Odell Beckham Jr. To A 1-Year Contract

Beckham was traded to the Browns in 2019 and played two seasons there before joining the Rams. He caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl LVI before suffering an ACL injury that sidelined him for the 2022 season.

SOURCE – (AP)

Sports

Brittney Griner Says She Thought About Killing Herself During First Few Weeks In Russian Jail

Published

1 day ago

2024-05-02

Kiara Grace

AP - VOR News Image

Phoenix — Brittney Griner, a WNBA star, says she considered suicide during her first several weeks in a Russian jail following her 2022 drug-related arrest.

Griner spoke for the first time about her months-long captivity in Russia during an hour-long interview broadcast on ABC Wednesday night. Her memoir, “Coming Home,” is scheduled to be released on May 7.

Hollywood Reporter – VOR News Image

Brittney Griner Says She Thought About Killing Herself During First Few Weeks In Russian Jail

Griner was seized after arriving at a Moscow airport when Russian investigators claimed a search of her luggage found vape cartridges purportedly containing cannabis oil.

“I wanted to take my life more than once in the first few weeks,” Griner told interviewer Robin Roberts. “I felt like leaving here so badly.”

She opted against it in part because she was concerned that the Russian authorities would not return her body to her family.

Her plight began at the same time Russia invaded Ukraine, escalating tensions between Russia and the United States, and ended only after she was released in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Rolling Stone – VOR News Image

Brittney Griner Says She Thought About Killing Herself During First Few Weeks In Russian Jail

Griner stated that she was ordered to compose a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin before being released.

“They had me write this letter. “It was in Russian,” she explained. “I had to ask for pardon and gratitude from their so-called great leader. “I didn’t want to do it, but I also wanted to get home.”

She was dismayed when she boarded the plane for the transaction and found that Paul Whelan, another American held in Russia, was not with her.

CNN – VOR News Image

Brittney Griner Says She Thought About Killing Herself During First Few Weeks In Russian Jail

“I continued on and didn’t see him; perhaps he’s next. “Maybe they’ll bring him next,” she added. “They shut the door, and I was like, Are you serious? “You are not going to let this man come home right now.”

Griner plays for the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA season starts on May 14.

SOURCE – (AP)

Sports

Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, Will Step Down From The F1 Team.

Published

3 days ago

2024-05-01

Kiara Grace

AP News - VOR News Image

Milton Keynes, England – Red Bull announced Wednesday that Adrian Newey, the designer who played a key role in Red Bull’s Formula One supremacy, will retire early next year.

The 65-year-old Newey will retire from his nearly two-decade career at Red Bull in the “first quarter of 2025.”

Autosport – VOR News Image

Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, Will Step Down From The Formula One Team.

“For almost two decades it has been my great honor to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing’s progress from upstart newcomer to multiple title-winning team,” stated the former Ferrari driver. “However, I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself.”

Adrian joined Red Bull in 2006 and has helped the team win seven driver’s titles, including the last three seasons for defending champion Max Verstappen and six constructors’ crowns.

Red Bull announced that its chief technical officer will step away from F1 design to focus on the company’s first hypercar, the RB 17.

Motorsport – VOR News Image

Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, Will Step Down From The Formula One Team.

“All of our greatest moments from the past 20 years have come with Adrian’s hand on the technical tiller,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner stated. “When Adrian joined Red Bull, I knew he was already a famous designer. Two decades and 13 championships later, he is remembered as a true legend. He is also my friend, and I shall be eternally grateful to him for everything he contributed to our collaboration.”

The news of Newey’s leaving could result in a bidding war for his services. Because Newey is free to join another team after leaving Red Bull, he has the potential to have an impact on the 2026 vehicle for whichever team he chooses. The next major regulatory reform is scheduled for 2026, and having Newey on board would provide a huge edge to his future employers.

Planetf1 – VOR News Image

Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, Will Step Down From The Formula One Team.

Newey’s dismissal comes after Horner was accused of “inappropriate behavior” by a female coworker. Red Bull’s parent company GmbH exonerated Horner and has consistently refuted the allegations.

SOURCE – (AP)