Nuggets Lose Game 4, Jazz Take a 3-1 Series Lead

The Nuggets looked to even their first-round playoff series with the Utah Jazz Sunday night after falling behind 1-2 in the series this past Friday.

After losing two straight games by an average of 28 points, Nuggets’ head coach Michael Malone made some much-needed changes to Denver’s starting lineup Sunday night. Malone replaced starting shooting guard Torrey Craig with Monte Morris, and rookie phenom Michael Porter Jr. with Jerami Grant.

Denver looked more energized than they had all series long to start the game. The Nuggets looked sound defensively and outside of Donovan Mitchell, Utah’s starters looked rattled as Denver got out to an early 15-11 lead with 7:13 remaining in the quarter.

Out of a Utah timeout, Mitchell remained aggressive. He scored in isolation on Porter Jr. and got to the line for two, ultimately scoring or assisting on four of Utah’s next five baskets, and taking a one-point lead (25-24) with 2:44 remaining. Denver closed the quarter on a 12-8 run though, and entered the second with a 36-33 lead.

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Denver started the second quarter on a 7-2 run, but the human flamethrower that is Jordan Clarkson scored seven straight points for the Jazz to bring Utah within one (43-42) before the Nuggets took a timeout with 9:22 remaining.

Neither team converted much offensively for the next three minutes, but a Nikola Jokic three-pointer pushed the Nuggets’ lead to six (50-44) with 6:28 remaining. Following a Jamal Murray three-pointer and a Morris layup, Utah closed the half on a 5-0 run and trailed by just one (65-64) heading into halftime.

Mitchell led all scorers with 22 points at the half, but Murray and Paul Millsap both had productive first halves for Denver. Murray totaled 18 points and five assists through two quarters, and Millsap added 14 points and four rebounds.

Jokic and Murray got Denver going offensively to start the third, scoring the Nuggets’ first 10 points of the half, but Mitchell and Rudy Gobert did them one better, combining for 11 points and tying the game at 75 before the Nuggets took a timeout with 8:06 remaining.

Following two Mike Conley threes and a Gobert layup, Denver took a timeout with 4:33 remaining as they trailed by six (87-81). Following two baskets from Murray, back-to-back threes from Clarkson to end the quarter gave Utah an eight-point lead (97-89) heading into the fourth.

Murray scored Denver’s first seven points of the fourth, bringing them within six (102-96) before the Jazz took a timeout with 8:20 remaining. Out of that timeout, Denver knocked down four straight three-pointers and brought themselves within one (109-108) with 4:47 remaining.

With 1:34 remaining, Murray knocked down a clutch three-pointer to bring Denver back within one (117-116), then Mitchell converted a layup 12 seconds later. Jokic was fouled and made two free throws on the ensuing possession, then Mitchell dropped in a three-pointer over the outstretched arm of Millsap, pushing Utah’s lead to four (122-118).

Mitchell, whose missed just two free throws throughout the entire series, converted four straight free throws for the Jazz as the Nuggets played the foul game, pushing Utah’s lead to six (126-120) with 21.6 seconds remaining. Murray was fouled with 7.8 seconds left in the game and converted both his free throws, but Utah’s lead was insurmountable, and the Jazz took Game 4 129-127.

Mitchell finished the game with 51 points, his second 50-point game this series, and totaled seven assists and four rebounds. But in the loss, Murray had himself a career game as well, scoring 50 points, the most in Nuggets’ playoff history, corralling 11 rebounds and dishing out seven assists.

Jokic finished the game with 29 points and seven rebounds, and Millsap added 16 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Denver’s loss puts them down 3-1 in the series and likely on the next flight to the Mile High City as only 11 teams in NBA history have overcome a 3-1 series deficit. Game 5 is set for Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m. EST