[jwplayer gdDHAtNR]
Behind the brilliant play of Jamal Murray, the Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz on Sunday in a must-win situation to force a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series.
Murray erupted for 50 points in the 119-107 victory as he shot 17-of-24 from the field and 9-of-12 from 3-point range. The performance marked his second 50-point outing in the series as he became the first player since Allen Iverson in 2001 to record three straight games with at least 40 points in a playoff series.
The Nuggets also received key contributions from Nikola Jokic and Jerami Grant as the two players combined for 40 points. Nuggets rookie Michael Porter Jr. struggled to shoot in the game after recording just two points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field. However, Porter hauled in 12 rebounds and finished a game-high plus-21 on the court.
Porter finishing a game-high plus-21 on the court was a bit unexpected after he has struggled during the series on defense. The Jazz have consistently targeted Porter on defense and have gone at him with great success throughout the series.
The rookie didn’t have his best stuff on offense but managed to stay active and contribute in other ways with the Nuggets’ season on the line. Porter certainly won’t earn the game ball afterward but he still helped his team win and live to see Game 7.
[lawrence-related id=21904,21862,21561]
[vertical-gallery id=14282]