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Jamal Murray Scores 50 as Nuggets Defeat Donovan Mitchell, Jazz to Force Game 7
August 31, 2020
At least one first-round playoff series will go the distance this year.
The Denver Nuggets forced a Game 7 in their Western Conference showdown with the Utah Jazz behind a 119-107 victory in Sunday's Game 6 at Walt Disney World Resort. Jamal Murray led the way in a second straight win, helping ensure his team will have a chance to advance in a win-or-go-home game after falling behind 3-1.
As for the Jazz, they missed their second straight opportunity to clinch a spot in the second round for the third time in four years despite a strong showing from Donovan Mitchell as the two guards went head-to-head once again.
Notable Player Stats
- Jamal Murray, G, DEN: 50 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 17-of-24 FG, 9-of-12 3PT
- Nikola Jokic, C, DEN: 22 PTS, 9 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL
- Jerami Grant, F, DEN: 18 PTS, 2 BLK
- Donovan Mitchell, G, UTA: 44 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL, 9-of-13 3PT
- Mike Conley, G, UTA: 21 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB, 4-of-6 3PT
Jamal Murray's Hot Hand Propels Nuggets to Win
Denver's offense ran through Nikola Jokic for much of the regular season.
After all, the two-time All-Star is a unique matchup problem as a big who can score on the blocks, facilitate from the high elbow, draw defenders away from the rim with his three-point shooting and keep possessions alive on the glass.
However, Murray's performance has largely been the indicator of Denver's success in this series.
The Nuggets were 2-1 when he scored more than 35 points and 0-2 when he scored fewer than 15 in the first five contests. His toe-to-toe battles with Mitchell dominated the storylines, and it appeared as if the Nuggets would run away with things when he poured in 25 points in the first half alone.
Murray was not looking to go home and impressed by gliding through the defense, finishing through contact and unleashing his smooth stroke from beyond the arc. Utah had no answers for him on the defensive end, and he notably dropped a step-back three over Mitchell when they were isolated in that first half.
Even when he cooled off some with four points in the third quarter, Jerami Grant took over some of the scoring from the outside while Jokic quietly racked up impressive numbers and found his own touch from deep.
It was Murray time again down the stretch, as his back-to-back baskets put Denver up by double digits with less than six minutes remaining before he hit multiple triples in the final five minutes. The biggest ones came with less than two minutes remaining to all but bury the Jazz's chances on Sunday.
Donovan Mitchell's Strong Performance Not Enough
This series has been the Mitchell show for the Jazz, and Sunday was no different.
However, much like in Game 1 when he exploded for 57 points, his team fell short. It was hard to blame the University of Louisville product, though, who continued knocking down threes, finishing through contact and taking over for stretches when his team needed a basket.
Utah fell behind by double digits in the first half with Murray controlling play before Mitchell brought his side back to within one in the third quarter by going right at Denver's defense. He tried putting his team on his back in the fourth as well by hitting step-back threes and attacking the lane, but he didn't have enough help.
In fact, Mike Conley was the only other player on the Jazz to score more than 11.
Mitchell will be firmly under the spotlight again in Game 7 as he attempts to prevent his team from blowing a 3-1 lead. Despite the disappointment of the latest loss, he has an opportunity to ascend into another level of superstardom in the coming days.
If he can continue his brilliance and direct a win-or-go-home victory in Game 7 and then battle a Los Angeles Clippers team that will surely send Kawhi Leonard and Paul George his way, Mitchell will go from the go-to option for the Jazz to one of the most feared playmakers in the league.
What's Next?
The decisive Game 7 is Tuesday.