The Nuggets moved closer to whole with Jamal Murray and Spencer Jones returning to action in New Orleans. The Pelicans have the second-worst record in the league, and one of the worst defensive ratings, but Denver’s offense got stuck in the mud in the second quarter.
After falling behind in the second, the Nuggets tried to play catch-up for the rest of the game. It was an uphill battle, and a frustrating watch at times, but Denver slowly chipped away at the lead before stealing a win in the clutch.
Final Score: 122-116.
Jamal Murray returns
Murray returned to action after missing two games with an illness. He wasted no time getting back into a groove, scoring 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and dishing out three assists. Murray’s developing into one of the elite three-point shooters in all of basketball, and he stepped confidently into two makes in his first stint.
Murray grew quiet in the second, but began to percolate at the end of the third quarter. His scoring helped Denver cut the lead to three heading into the fourth.
As we’ve seen many times before, Murray played some of his best basketball in the clutch. He navigated the doubles well and knocked down a couple of ridiculous buckets. His 35 points led all scorers.
Peyton Watson keeps it going
Watson came to life in the second quarter, when he put his head down and attacked the rim. That’s been his calling card since the Jokić injury, driving to the rim almost three times more than his season average.
He found success with the floater, a shot he’s starting to fall in love with, and got some mid-range pull-ups to fall as well. He also buried another three above the break, where his percentage has been climbing since he took over in a top-option role.
Watson scored 15 points in the second, the most he’s scored in any quarter of his career. He had 19 at the half and kept it rolling in the third, when he scored 8 more. He only made one field goal in the fourth, but it was the go-ahead bucket — a turnaround midranger.
Watson finished with 31 points, one shy of tying his career-high, which he set in New Orleans back in November.
Pelicans win the rebounding battle
The Pelicans crushed the center-less Nuggets on the glass. New Orleans won the rebounding battle 58 – 42 and pulled down 15 offensive rebounds as well. Derrick Queen led all players with four offensive boards, and seven different Pelicans grabbed at least one.
Gordon led all Nuggets with eight total rebounds. As a team, they only pulled down five on offense.