Nuggets snap losing streak, knock of Heat in first game since Jamal Murray’s ACL tear – The Denver Post

Jamal Murray never made his way to the Nuggets’ bench Wednesday night. His teammates played inspired basketball anyway.

One day after Murray’s devastating ACL tear became official, the Nuggets put forth a masterful effort to snap a two-game losing streak and knock off Miami, 123-106. Even without Murray, it was the type of encouraging effort that revealed this team’s character, yet again. Now 35-20 on the season, the Nuggets will attempt to build on their egalitarian offense in Friday’s game at Houston.

“I just felt like there was joy in how we played,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “We had guys that looked like they were having fun. That was one of my challenges to our guys today. Even before Jamal went down with that injury, I just felt like there was not a lot of joy in Mudville. You can’t play like that.”

Nikola Jokic secured his 15th triple-double of the season, pouring in 17 points, dishing 11 assists and snatching 10 rebounds in the win. The Nuggets take their cues from Jokic, and as long as he keeps competing, the rest of the team will follow.

Now the No. 2 option in Denver’s offense, Michael Porter Jr. was fantastic. He registered a team-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, along with 10 rebounds. The Heat had absolutely no answers for his ruthless efficiency from the floor.

Starting in place of Murray, Monte Morris did exactly what the Nuggets needed him to do. Morris, who finished with 11 points and three rebounds in 26 minutes, showed he’s more than capable of handling Denver’s starting point guard duties at a moment’s notice.

Denver’s bench pounded Miami’s 48-34, led by 17 points from JaMychal Green.

Even without Murray’s one-two combo with Jokic, the Nuggets’ offense proved it’s still capable of raining points on opponents. Denver dropped 36 in the third quarter alone, an all-encompassing showing from guys up and down the roster.

Porter continued his torrid shooting, but he was hardly alone. Backup P.J. Dozier rained in 3-pointers as did Green. Facundo Campazzo ended the quarter on a soaring, step-back 3-pointer to give the Nuggets a 96-79 lead. With each momentum play, Jokic applauded and fist-pumped his teammates’ resolve.

In the wake of Murray’s devastating injury, Malone implored his guys to assess their situation and realize the position they’re still in with a month left of the regular season.

“As bad as we feel for Jamal, we have 18 games to go, and we have to find a way to collect ourselves and understand the opportunity we have in front of us,” Malone said. “… How do we re-group, collect ourselves, collect our emotions and move forward? And not one guy on our team can replace Jamal. It’s going to take a collective effort. We need everybody’s best.”

As fresh as the injury still was, Malone said he and team were doing their best to be positive and encouraging as Murray begins what will likely be a 9-to-12 month rehab.

“I have no doubt that he will come back a better player, a stronger player,” Malone said. “That’s just how he’s made. That’s in his DNA. I expect nothing less.”

Denver’s much-maligned second unit flipped a five-point deficit into a three-point lead by the time the starters checked back in midway through the second quarter. From there, the Nuggets relied on their two rocks. Jokic played inspired basketball, finishing the first half with 13 points and six assists, while Porter, his new sidekick, cleaned up everything around the glass. Porter hung 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting, with nine rebounds over the first two quarters.

His production may need to make the biggest leap in order to help offset the loss of Murray.

Denver’s star duo forged a 60-49 halftime lead, which would’ve been bigger had the Nuggets not turned the ball over nine times. For at least one half, it was an encouraging start.

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