The NBA couldnt have actually requested for a much better video game to open the 2020 playoffs with the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz entering into overtime to choose a winner in this first-round matchup. Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray exchanged shots back and forth down the stretch, but ultimately Murrays play in overtime brought the Nuggets to a 135-125 win and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Mitchell ended up the game with 57 points, becoming the youngest player because Michael Jordan to set up 50-plus points in a championship game. It appeared that allure remained in control for the majority of the second half, and appeared like they would be able to put away this win. An All-Star effort from Murray required overtime, and his play– as well as a meltdown for Utah in OT– ended up being the deciding element. Murray scored 10 of his 36 points in OT to secure the win for Denver, and ended up the video game just shy of a double-double with 9 helps..
The 1-2 punch of Murray and Nikola Jokic proved to be excessive for Utah, as the sweet-shooting 7-footer displayed his offending versatility in the very first half of the game, and completed the contest with 29 points and 10 boards. A large open 3-pointer by Jokic with 2 minutes to go in overtime extended Denvers cause 9, basically icing the video game for the Nuggets.