Key questions for Nuggets in series against Clippers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 03: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives the ball against Jerami Grant #9 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 03, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 03: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives the ball against Jerami Grant #9 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 03, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 03: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets dives for the loose ball during the second quarter against the LA Clippers in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 03, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 03: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets dives for the loose ball during the second quarter against the LA Clippers in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 03, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Can Jamal Murray continue to dominate?

In Game 1, Jamal Murray scored 12 points on 5-15 shooting from the field and 2-8 shooting from three. As expected, Murray faced a level of defensive pressure against the Clippers assortment of defensive specialists that he didn’t have to contend with against the Utah Jazz. The question for Murray, is if he continue to build off his dominant performance from the series with Utah or if he’ll have to play a bit more of an auxiliary role.

The Nuggets could help Murray by having him play more minutes alongside Monte Morris, as they did when they wanted to relieve the defensive pressure he faced with the Jazz. The two only played 8 minutes together in Game 1, after being on the court together for 17.1 minutes per game against Utah.

Murray may not have to be the team’s best scorer this series, especially if Nikola Jokic continues to excel offensively, but he has to at least be one of them if the Nuggets are going to pull off this upset.