Nuggets take down Jazz, force Game 7

Led by Jamal Murray, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Utah Jazz 119-107 to force a winner-takes-all Game 7.

Jamal Murray continued to shine with another 50-point eruption to will the Denver Nuggets over the finish line and into a Game 7 against the Utah Jazz. Like clockwork, Donovan Mitchell continued his remarkable offensive displays, scoring 44 points himself. The series to this point has been an incredible showdown between two of the best young guards in the NBA.

The Nuggets got a huge performance from Jerami Grant, who added 18 points and four crucial three balls. Nikola Jokic contributed 22 points himself and grabbed nine rebounds to get the job done in the interior against Rudy Gobert. Denver shot 45 percent from the field and drained 18 of their 36 three point attempts, nine of which came from the Canadian superstar.

Michael Porter Jr. struggled mightily, scoring just two points on one of seven shooting. He did however gobble up 12 rebounds. Gary Harris, in his first action in nearly six months, scored four points on one of four shooting. Harris may or may not have too much of a role in game seven, but the Nuggets are thrilled to have him back in the rotation should they progress further in the playoffs.

Game seven will likely be another slugfest between Murray and Mitchell. The Nuggets will need another strong showing on the glass, where they have been the better team throughout the series. Denver won the rebounding battle in game six 43-30. Denver has also been a consistent force from the free throw line. The Nuggets knocked down 23 of 26 free throws in their game six win.

Each of the team’s last three playoff series have now ended in a seventh and deciding game. The Nuggets got past the San Antonio Spurs in last year’s first round, but lost to the Trail Blazers shortly thereafter. Jamal Murray and the Nuggets will face off with the Jazz one last time Tuesday.