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NBA playoffs: Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook Spark Nuggets Last Clippers to claim a 3-2 series

NBA playoffs: Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook Spark Nuggets Last Clippers to claim a 3-2 series

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Denver – Nikola Jokić is able to do everything.

It is much better for the Denver Nuggets if he doesn't have to. He didn't have to.

The nuggets were triggered by the 43 points of Jamal Murray and eight 3 points and a sizzling stay of the Bank of Russell Westbrook. The victory secured a 3-2 lead for the nuggets, which can complete the first round on Thursday.

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The victory on Tuesday was a return to the Playoff form for Murray, which was significantly involved in Denvers Run to the NBA Championship 2023. Murray limp of an injury to the last posting season, and the nuggets could not get out of the second round.

On Tuesday, Murray looked much more like his 2023. Murray scored 19 points in a first half of the nuggets that were fully checked on the way to a 67-59 lead. He then opened the third quarter with a jumping spray to keep the swing roll.

His fifth 3 pointer of the game opened the Nugget's lead to 80-63 at the beginning of the third quarter.

When the clipper threatened a run, Murray met his sixth 3 of the game to put the tour to double-digit numbers at 91-80. The Clippers have never recovered.

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“Some of the shots he made were just absolutely ridiculous,” said Nuggets coach David Adelman. “I said it before the game it comes with him. You know it is these big moments, these situations. He was born for it. Special night for Jamal.”

Murray added seven assists and five rebounds and scored 17 of 26 from the field and 8 out of 14 out of 3 points.

Can Murray maintain its shape now that it is healthy?

The game was Murrays Best of the Playoffs and his first 40 point since he scored against Portland Trail Blazers 55 on February 12th. Murray fought himself in the regular season and missed six games in a row with a thigh injury before returning from Denver for the last two games.

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These absences fell together with a defeat against four games that preceded the breathtaking dismissal of head coach Michael Malone. Murray has now played in seven games in a row, including four former playoff games in which he did not score more than 23 points.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets to a game 5 and 3-2 lead against the Clipper. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

(Matthew Stockman about Getty Images)

“Rhythm is rhythm, be it the playoffs or the regular season,” said Adelman about Murray. “You have to play. It's not as if we are practicing a lot. Because you can't really do anything. It is rhythm in the game he finds.

“They are also the clipper. They do a good job. We found out a few things that he totally spread. Not to mention the incredible individual games that he made tonight.”

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Murray preferred to downplay his injury and explain “four weeks ago” after the game.

He also played down his big night as he was attributed to the victory to a team effort.

“It was a big team victory,” said Murray. “The boys set good screens. The boys drove on the floor. Boys were selfless and went in a really good rhythm tonight. That was a big reason why we got victory.”

He recognized that he had fun on Tuesday evening and “play for free”.

“It's all,” said Murray. “It is excitement. It is nervous. Everything comes into play and that is fun. That makes this mostly in basketball of the year and is the most fun as a player.

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“If I only have fun and don't think about it, we get such games – not just from me, but from everyone.”

Murray was not the only nuggets hero

Westbrook was questionable until the warming up before the game had a foot injury in game 4. He was clarified shortly before the tip, which turned out to be good news for the nuggets.

Westbrook came from the bank with 4:42 in the first quarter and the Nuggets with a 25-17 lead. He returned to an ovation of the Denver quantity with 3:49. In his 13-minute stay, Westbrook scored 16 points to keep the Nuggets with a lead of 58: 50.

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In the second quarter, Westbrook met 3 points for successive possessions to expand the lead from Denver to 45-32.

One and 1 layup and made the 16-point value of Westbrook with the free throw. It also released his ceremonial celebration of the Rock-Thethe baby.

Westbrook ended the game with 21 points and scored 8 out of 15 from the field and 3 out of 6 out of 3. 3. Good russ appeared on Tuesday evening in a Nuggets stint that was shaped by good Russ and Bad Russ.

Westbrook's energy was fully equipped throughout the game when he interacted with Clipper players with fans.

“It is important, man,” said Westbrook about his energy. “This is a large part of the game that the average eye may not see or the box score does not show. But I think it is important that it is contagious and that it can be able to win.

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“I think it is something that I personally proud to be prepared to bring my team every evening.”

James Harden faded

While Murray and Westbrook cut the nuggets from the backwood, James Harden fought for the Clipper.

Harden scored three field goals in just nine attempts and ended with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists. He turned the ball over a team high four times. It was not the kind of effort the clipper needed from their eleven-time all-star.

Adelman described Christian Braun for the running point when closing hard in one night in which Braun was limited on the offensive (11 points).

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“There is a lot to ask for Christian with James Harden,” said Adelman. “That was a team defensive game with James tonight. But CB is the guy at this time. He is the guy that fits with him.

“I always said that CB is never afraid of the moment. He may play great. He may play in order. But there is nothing about the guy who is afraid of that moment.”

Ivaca Zubac took the slack with a team high of 27 points for the Clipper and Jokić helped from the field to 13 points in the 4-of-13 shoot. Kawhi Leonard added 20 points and 11 templates. It was not nearly enough to keep a step with a Nuggets offensive that ran on all cylinders.

Can Nuggets complete this time?

The Nuggets were in a similar position against Minnesota Timberwolves last season. They won game 5 against the Timberwolves and confronted the chance to end the series in game 6.

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But you didn't do the job. The Timberwolves blown out the nuggets in game 6 and then mounted a rally in the second half in game 7 to secure the series and to numb the incumbent champion of Nuggets in the second round.

Nuggets coach David Adelman did not want to talk about the prospect of what a victory in game 5 would mean for the series in his press conference before the game.

“We won this game last year,” said Adelman. “Everyone was so excited about the swing game. And then we were absolutely blown out in game 6 and lost a really hard game 7 in Minnesota.

“If you think ahead – hey, the story will end – when you write a conclusion, I think you are in trouble.”

In contrast to the last post -season, game 6 will be on the road for the Nuggets because Denver wants to close the series in Los Angeles.

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