Shooting guard Zach LaVine has led the way so far for Chicago, as he has 26 points and six assists. After three quarters neither squad has the game in the bag, but the Bulls lead 77-71 over the Denver Nuggets. He had to be thrilled with their adherence to defensive principles, swarming and swatting Minnesota en route to a 55-44 halftime lead.Down three at the end of last quarter, the Chicago Bulls have now snagged the lead. “Discipline can take many shapes and forms - taking care of the ball, personnel discipline, gameplan discipline, executing our plays,” Malone said. Murray shrugged his shoulders in relief when he finally got a 3-pointer to drop.įrom a team perspective, Malone implored his guys to be aggressive and disciplined. The latter was another indication of how much trust he’s developed in his surgically-repaired knee. Murray struggled to find space against surprise starter Nickeil Alexander-Walker but was more than capable of getting inside and battling on the boards. He’s really excited to get back out there, play, and remind people of what he’s capable of.” It has not been an easy journey for him, but I think this year, we’ve seen Jamal have moments where that’s the Jamal Murray that we all love and remember. “I’m just so happy for him, proud of him. “It is kind of wild to think it’s been (since the Bubble), missing the last two playoffs for us,” Malone said before the game. Eager to get in on the rout, even backup center DeAndre Jordan hammered home an alley-oop off an audacious look from Murray.Īll of that preempted the fireworks when Braun and Anderson needed to be separated after Denver’s rookie refused to let him get a practice shot off.Īs for Murray, even though it had been months in the making, his return to the postseason stage was still a moment to celebrate. Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all connected from 3-point range to drown Minnesota in a deluge of deep looks. When Porter was fouled and fell on a 3-pointer, Jokic flexed his arm and ran over to help him back up. The Nuggets spent the third quarter running roughshod through Minnesota’s defense. How the visitors adjust, to Denver’s size and 3-point shooting, will go a long way to determining Wednesday’s Game 2 and the rest of the series. His moxie amounted to salt in the wound for an overwhelmed Minnesota team that was led by Anthony Edwards’ 18 points. Murray finished with game-high 24 points, including three 3-pointers in the second half. He was particularly demonstrative during the Braun dust-up, needing only a spark to ignite his fire. After a slow start, Jamal Murray came alive in his first playoff game since the Bubble. Nuggets center Nikola Jokic toyed with Minnesota’s ballyhooed frontcourt, amassing 13 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Most pleased with the defense, Malone said he gave the Defensive Player of the Game chain to the entire team. “We’re not gonna celebrate,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said, intent on repeating the effort later in the series. 1 seed late Sunday night, throttling the visiting Timberwolves, 109-80, in Game 1 of their best-of-7 first-round playoff series. The Nuggets looked and acted like the No. Anderson’s frustration came as a result of Braun’s tenacious defense, but also the relentless pounding Denver was hanging on Minnesota. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close MenuĬhristian Braun’s smile was icier than a Minnesota lake in December.ĭenver’s rookie had a cold, calculated grin after he and Timberwolves veteran Kyle Anderson needed to be separated late in the third quarter.
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