DNVR Player Grades: Murray drops 50, Nuggets force Game 7

This electric series between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz will go seven games, thanks to the heroics of Jamal Murray, who dropped 50 for the second time this series and scored 40+ for the third straight game Sunday night. The series kicked off with Nuggets fans wondering when Donovan Mitchell would ever cool off. Now, with a Game 7 looming, Jazz fans find themselves asking similar questions — surely, Murray can’t do this every night. No one should hold their breath after the two went toe-to-toe again in the 119-107 shootout. Bubble boost notwithstanding, we are witnessing one of the greatest scoring duals in history.

Murray held back tears in his post-game interview — spent emotionally and physically, but focused on bringing the conversation back where it should be. The Canadian native spoke passionately on the tragic killings of Jacob Blake, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, providing us with a sobering reminder of the fear, anger, and pain felt by so many not just in this country but around the world. Fifty points or zero, win or lose — there is no outcome more important than a movement for justice on this scale. Seconds after one of the best performances of his life, Murray refreshed our perspective. Impressive isn’t quite the word. He was something more Sunday night.

The Nuggets entered Game 6 with a boost emotionally and defensively. Gary Harris returned to action and played in his first game since March. While expectations were low for what he might provide offensively, he’s the team’s best perimeter defender by miles, and he made an immediate impact on that end. Between Harris, Torrey Craig, and Jerami Grant, the Nuggets finally had the horses to make life tough on Utah’s pesky guard trio of Mitchell, Mike Conley Jr., and Jordan Clarkson.

Somewhat surprisingly, Malone returned to the starting lineup that dug an early hole in Game 5. The pure longboi lineup went back on the shelf as PJ Dozier never saw the floor, and the Nuggets dropped Nikola Jokić in pick-and-roll coverage again after successful experimentation with a more aggressive approach in their last win.

Denver fell behind by 10 in the opening minutes, but Utah’s lead wouldn’t get any bigger. The Nuggets controlled the rest of the game and outscored the Jazz in all three remaining quarters. For a second straight game, Malone did not close with the starting unit, opting for Murray-Craig-Michael Porter Jr.-Grant-Jokić instead. It worked.

The Jazz was forced to adjust but opted not to double Murray with Jokić as his partner in the two-man game. They tried switching wing defenders onto Jokić as to keep Gobert out of screens and closer to the rim, but that only made life easier for the star duo. Murray scored 21 in the fourth, putting a dagger in Game 6 and forcing Denver’s third Game 7 in as many playoff series.

Let’s go to the grades.

Honor Roll

Jamal Murray – A+

What’s left to say? For years we’ve thrown lofty and unfair comparisons at Murray. Can he grow into a Damian Lillard? A Steph Curry? Six games into his second postseason, I’m not sure if even Dame can pull of what Murray’s done so far. This is not a great matchup for Murray on paper. Utah has options to make life difficult for him on the perimeter, a great coach, and a 2x DPOY protecting the rim. He would have excuses should he have performed less than his best. Instead, he’s raised that bar, as his best is now something but a handful of players alive can reach. I’ve always known Murray would be an excellent player, but I wasn’t sure about potential stardom. How silly that doubt looks now, as superstardom is within his reach. The playoffs are when legends are born. What Murray’s doing is nothing short of legendary.

Fun stat: Murray’s 24 shots were the fewest required to reach 50 points since Bob Cousy in 1953.

Nikola Jokić – A-

In what is among the least surprising developments ever, Jokić appears comfortable in the ‘Robin’ role to Murray’s ‘Batman.’ The best center in the league has often found himself providing the most value by merely spacing the floor in this series. Rudy Gobert’s presence around the rim is undeniable, but after two high-volume games from deep, Jokić went 3-5 in Game 6 and is changing this series by drawing attention out the perimeter.

Jokić’s gravity is playing a pivotal role in Murray’s success. What’s the adjustment — do you trap Murray? Jokić is either a wide-open shooter or an elite playmaker with a numbers advantage. You can switch their screens, but you’re generating favorable mismatches for Denver. If Murray’s shooting like this, good luck defending these two. 

Jokić finished with 22 points and 9 assists.

Jerami Grant – A-

If Murray’s giving you 50, Jokić is going for 20+ and 9, and Jerami Grant adds 18 points on 4-7 from deep, then chances are you’re winning that game. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a more effective shooter left open to the extent that Grant is, and he made Utah pay for their negligence Sunday night. It’s one thing to shoot just because you’re open, and it’s another to shoot without guilt or hesitation. Grant did the latter in Game 6.

Gary Harris – A-

I refuse to check Harris’s final line on principle. It does not matter to me. If he were 0-13, I’d still award him Honor Roll for his presence on the defensive end in his triumphant return. Did Clarkson seem quiet to you in Game 6? That was Gary. Did it feel like Mitchell had to work just a little bit harder to get to his spots? Gary had a hand in that. Did it seem like Utah’s half-court offense had to grind to find high percentage looks like they haven’t all series? Gary.

… The Jazz had an 88 offensive rating in the 20 minutes Gary Harris played.

They had a 115.1 offensive rating for the game.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) August 31, 2020

Harris is the longest-tenured player on the roster and beloved by virtually the entire fan base. If the Nuggets are to engineer a feel-good comeback, it can only feel its best with Harris out there contributing.

The Class

Mason Plumlee – B

We haven’t heard much from Plumlee in this series, but his interminable hustle finally moved the needle for the Nuggets. He picked up five rebounds, one block, and one steal in 11 minutes off the bench, playing with the urgency expected of a player facing elimination. It’s almost hard to believe how much of an impact he made and the impression he left in such little time on the court with no shot attempts. Those 11 minutes were massive.

Torrey Craig – B

Craig looked far more comfortable on the defensive end with another stopper out there alongside him. He also found 8 points, 6 boards, and 2 assists in his pocket.

Michael Porter Jr. – C+

MPJ turned in what will probably go down as the worst offensive game of his career, and yet, I consider it an encouraging performance. He picked up 12 boards, that raw total reflecting a winning effort on the glass, not just empty stat chasing. He’s also improving defensively more than he’s receiving credit for as this series goes on. Malone has turned to MPJ’s length, rebounding prowess, and ability to space the floor to close these games. It’s paying off.

Monte Morris – C+

Morris is usually in the right place at the right time defensively, but he’s just too small to stop Utah’s guards. He came up with some timely contributions on the other end of the court, however.

Principal’s Office

Paul Millsap – D+

Father Time comes for us all, and he made his move on Millsap over the hiatus. He doesn’t have it anymore, and his minutes are hurting this team right now.