Jamal Murray, the linchpin of the Denver Nuggets, relishes the truth that his crew can summon their championship prowess when the strain is on.
However, he isn’t a fan of getting to depend on that resilience so incessantly.
“I think we should just come out a bit sharper from the get-go, not constantly needing to shift into overdrive,” Murray asserted following the Nuggets’ comeback victory over the spirited however undermanned Portland Trail Blazers, clinching a 112-103 win on Sunday night time.
The reigning NBA champs discovered themselves trailing by 14 within the first half, solely seizing the lead with their last shot of the third quarter.
“I think we just need to be a tad more conscious, more aware of the challenge each night, knowing we’re going to face their best effort,” stated Murray. “We can bring our A-game right from the start.”
Nikola Jokic spearheaded Denver’s cost with 29 factors, whereas Murray notched 21 factors in a stellar 10-to-1 assist-to-turnover efficiency.
The youthful duo of Christian Braun and Peyton Watson injected dynamism down the stretch, securing the Nuggets their second win over division rivals in simply 48 hours.
In addition to Watson, 4 different gamers hit double figures, propelling Denver’s residence document to a formidable 21-4.
The Nuggets had narrowly averted trailing by greater than a basket of their earlier 120-108 overcome Portland on Friday night time at Ball Arena. Still, they did not seize management till the waning moments of the third quarter, with Jokic’s finger-roll layup breaking an 84-84 tie.
Despite Deandre Ayton’s 27 factors and Anfernee Simons’ 26 for the Blazers, the house crowd was subdued for a lot of the night time. The Blazers had been up 84-75 with 4:17 left within the third quarter when Matisse Thybulle missed the second of two free throws.
The Blazers didn’t rating once more till Kris Murray’s goaltending basket with 10:44 remaining, reducing Denver’s result in 91-86. During that essential stretch, the Blazers misfired on 9 photographs, together with six from past the arc, whereas the Nuggets capitalized with a game-changing 16-0 run.
“Our defense improved as the game progressed,” famous Nuggets coach Michael Malone. “We went from having zero defense to a bit, and then a lot more. Ultimately, we had great defense.”
Despite faltering within the closing minutes, the Blazers remained upbeat about their efficiency.
“I thought we played well for the majority of the game, to be honest with you,” stated Simons. “They’re a good team. They made runs. They’re a championship team. They’re a veteran team. We rolled out with a lot of young guys, and sometimes that’s just what happens. So, I’m just glad that we stuck with it and continued to play hard. Overall, I’m pretty happy about how we played today.”
In the second half, the Blazers managed only one 3-pointer in 13 makes an attempt after pulling down 10 earlier than halftime.
Murray and Thybulle earned beginning spots attributable to Jerami Grant’s absence for the second consecutive sport with decrease again tightness and Malcolm Brogdon’s continued sidelining attributable to a sore knee.
Reserve Scott Henderson, who celebrated his twentieth birthday on Saturday, added 14 factors within the rematch after scoring 30 in opposition to the Nuggets. Over the weekend, Portland coach Chauncey Billups despatched him a congratulatory textual content.
“I said, ‘Scoot, there aren’t many guys in the entire world that can say they scored 30 points on the world champions as a teenager,'” Billups recalled. “But you’re not a teenager anymore. Let’s see what you’re going to do in your 20s.”
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