The Jazz stay firmly in control of the series, though, as they lead Denver 3-2, and while Murrays outburst will get the headlines, Donovan Mitchell dropped 30 points of his own in assisting the Jazz lead for many of the very first 3 quarters. He cant score 50 every night, however hes proven regularly able to discover the matchups that he wants through switches in this series. If that keeps up, we must expect 2 more duels between him and Murray before this series concludes. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 37.6 points per game in this series. 2 opposing players integrating to average 68.4 points per game in a seven-game series is nearly extraordinary.
With their backs against the wall tracking the Utah Jazz 3-1 in their first-round matchup, the Denver Nuggets leaned on Jamal Murray to get them back into this series, and kid, he did not disappoint. He finished the video game with 42 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists en path to a 117-107 victory over the Jazz to keep the Nuggets alive.
The Jazz remain securely in control of the series, however, as they lead Denver 3-2, and while Murrays outburst will get the headlines, Donovan Mitchell dropped 30 points of his own in helping the Jazz lead for many of the very first 3 quarters. If that keeps up, we should expect two more battles between him and Murray before this series concludes.
1. An all-time duel.
Donovan Mitchell is balancing 37.6 points per game in this series. Murray is averaging 30.8. Theyve integrated for 3 50-point games and a fourth-40 guideline. Yes, the bubble has inflated offense and yes, these are 2 terrible boundary defensive teams today, but this remains among the best battles in playoff history. Two opposing players combining to typical 68.4 points per video game in a seven-game series is almost unprecedented. For context, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley combined for 68.3 in the 1993 NBA Finals..
Its a first-round series, and were in the bubble. This series probably isnt going to be remembered as fondly as it must be, but it deserves better than “that weird bubble series with no defense.” This is famous shot-making by Mitchell and Murray and given their ages, it likely wont be the last time they do something like this..
2. Who wishes to be here?
Denvers poor border protectors were the offender early on. In Game 5?
Its cliche to recommend particular gamers want the ball in big minutes more than others, but theres reality in it. Defenses dedicate to superstars in big minutes. If a role gamer is going to last because context, he has to be able to take benefit of the chances offered by those stars. ONeale didnt, and it suffocated Utahs offense in the fourth..
3. Michael Porter Jr. is finally surviving defensively.
Porter endured Game 5. There were still a couple of utterly confounding errors, however Denver outscored Utah by 18 points during Porters minutes, and they allowed just 107 points in total in the game.
Porter is a rookie, and rookies are hardly ever excellent on defense. Porter barely played during the regular season due to the fact that Mike Malone was afraid of his defensive shortages, however that in turn made it harder for Porter to improve. He will not ever be good in this series, but he does not have to be.
