Following back-to-back loses, the Denver Nuggets got back into the win column last night courtesy of a 112-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors. After once trailing by 15 points, the Nuggets came back to take a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, which they almost found a way to squander. After leading 112-103 with just over two minutes to play, the Warriors closed the game on a 7-0 run and almost found a way to win on a Klay Thompson three-pointer in the closing seconds.
Thompson’s first attempt missed long, but after securing the rebound he attempted another three, which Jamal Murray blocked to give Denver the victory. It was an exciting finish for a game that moves the Nuggets magic number to secure the one seed to one. With four games left in the regular season, the Nuggets have firm control on the Western Conference standings and seem poised to secure home court throughout the playoffs.
Not only did Murray secure the game winning block, but he also made some huge shots down the stretch en route to his 26 point, eight assist performance. Murray shot 3-of-8 from three and played a team-high 41 minutes to lead the Nuggets to victory. Michael Porter Jr. also had a big night for the Nuggets scoring 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field, 4-of-8 from three to go along with 11 rebounds.
Murray and Porter stepped up big time in the absence of Nikola Jokic, who missed his third straight game due to a calf injury. Peyton Watson also stepped up big for the Nuggets and provided some great energy off the bench on both ends of the floor. Watson scored eight points, hauled in five rebounds, and contributed three blocks in the win as he gave Nuggets fan a glimpse of the player he could be in the future.
Bruce Brown (14), Aaron Gordon (13), and Jeff Green (10) also finished in double-figures and all played well offensively. The Nuggets now have a day off before they are back in action tomorrow night in Houston to take on the Rockets.
