The Denver Gazette

GAME RECAP

VINNY BENEDETTO, THE DENVER GAZETTE

What happened: Jamal Murray scored 14 of his points in the first quarter and led the Nuggets to a fivepoint advantage to start the second. The Nuggets held the Hawks to 22 points in the second quarter and led 70-52 at halftime. Atlanta closed within 11 to start the fourth quarter. Atlanta cut the deficit to eight in the fourth before Murray and Nikola Jokic created enough separation for Denver’s third straight win.

Murray finished with 41 points, while Jokic posted a 14-point, 18-rebound, 10-assist triple-double.

What went right: With the win, the Nuggets tied the Celtics for the best record in the NBA at 37-16. Denver also increased its lead atop the Western Conference to 4.5 games over the Grizzlies. Denver also limited the Hawks to 22 points in the second and fourth quarters.

What went wrong: Denver’s defense got off to another slow start. The Hawks made 13 of their 20 shots in the first quarter and scored 30 points in the opening 12 minutes. Atlanta posted nine assists to one turnover in the quarter.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also sprained an ankle in the first half and did not return, putting his availability in question for Denver’s next game.

Highlight of the night: Bruce Brown locked down so Christian Braun could take off. After Brown stripped Bogdan Bogdanovic late in the third quarter, Braun sprinted to start the fast break. Brown passed it ahead, and there was no one to prevent the Nuggets rookie from throwing down an emphatic two-handed dunk that put the Nuggets up 15 in the final three minutes of the third.

Up next: The Nuggets hopped on a plane and headed to Minnesota for Sunday’s 5 p.m. tipoff against the Timberwolves.

NBA

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2023-02-05T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-05T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.denvergazette.com/article/282252374680135

The Gazette, Colorado Springs