Nuggets power past Pelicans behind Jamal Murray's career night

DENVER — Limiting Anthony Davis, who’s lit the Nuggets up for 50, 31, and 41 points in their three previous meeting this year, was priority No. 1 atop coach Michael Malone’s to-do list entering tonight’s matchup, and while Denver wasn’t able to completely able to limit the four-time All-Star, the Nuggets were able to hold Davis to 23 points on an inefficient 11-27 shooting and top the Pelicans 122-106.

Once Denver pushed their lead to 17 at the 3:32 mark of the third quarter, Pelicans’ coach Alvin Gentry, who vowed earlier this week to limit the big man’s minutes over the remainder of the season, pulled Davis. As a result, the Nuggets were able to pull away from a New Orleans’ bench unit and stretch their advantage to 18 by quarters end.

“We tried to be a little bit more aggressive, give him different looks,” Malone said. “Obviously, he’s a terrific player and three games prior he dominated us. But I think by being a little more aggressive, taking away some of his airspace, putting different bigs on him. Kenneth was on him, Mason was on him, Wilson was on him, Gallo was on him, kind of wear him down with different looks.”

Gary Harris, who scored 12 in the quarter and finished the game with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and a career-high 9 assists, was a key contributor during that third quarter surge that saw the Nuggets outscore the Pelicans 41-24 in the third and put the game away.

As was the steady Nikola Jokic, who turned in another quality outing and built on his already impressive Most Improved Player resume, posting 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, but with 7 turnovers mixed in. Jokic finished a team-high +18, something that’s become more than routine for the second-year big man over the course of this season.

That third quarter was the first time all night that Denver’s offense got in a groove for more than a few possessions at a time.

During the first half, the Nuggets shined bright at times, piecing together the intricacies of their halfcourt attack and were able to get out in transition on occasion. But something was missing from their free-flowing attack as Denver only led 51-50 at the half after the Pelicans went on an 11-2 midway through the second quarter to close the Nuggets’ margin.

It was a breakout game for rookie Jamal Murray, who poured in a career-high 30 points, 22 of which came in the second half, highlighted by a Sports Center-worthy one-handed tomahawk dunk over Donatas Montiejunas and then a tip-slam later on.

“I’m just taking what the defense gives me,” a stoic Murray said. “If I see it there I go. If I don’t, then I just make a different move.”

Murray, who started his third game at point guard in Denver’s last four, while starter Jameer Nelson (right calf strain) sat, showed signs tonight, as he has at times this season, of the Nuggets’ future at the position. The 20-year-old was mired in a shooting slump heading into tonight, converting on just 15 of his last 53 from distance, only shot 2-6 from three but contributed in other ways.

“When he hits one shot. He thinks it’s a heat-check. He has a confidence about him that most 19-year-old’s don’t have at this level,” Malone said of Murray. “He’s not afraid of the moment. He’s not afraid of the opportunity. And he goes out there and plays with that swagger.”

Elsewhere for Denver, Danilo Gallinari chipped in 13 on 4-11 shooting, while Emmanuel Mudiay added 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The Nuggets move to one game back of Portland for the eighth seed in the West with three to go.

Postgame Video

Footnotes

Jameer Nelson (right calf strain) and Will Barton (left foot soreness) were ruled out prior to tip-off.

What’s Next

Denver hosts Oklahoma City in their last home game of the season Sunday before finishing up on the road at the Mavericks and Thunder next week.