Jamal Murray fired a career-high 50 points to lift the visiting Denver Nuggets to a 120-103 victory over the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, February 19 (Saturday, February 20, Philippine time)
Murray sank 21 of 25 shots – including 8 of 10 from three-point range – for the Nuggets, who shot a sizzling 66.7% from the floor to claim a 69-50 lead at intermission.
Denver didn’t cool off much, finishing with 57.5% shooting to defeat Cleveland for the second time in 10 days.
Murray’s point total eclipsed his previous regular-season career high of 48 points, set in the Nuggets’ 115-107 win over the Boston Celtics on November 5, 2018.
He did score 50 in two playoff games against the Utah Jazz last season.
Michael Porter Jr scored 21 of his 22 points in the first half and Nikola Jokic celebrated his 26th birthday by collecting 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Nuggets.
For the Cavs, Collin Sexton scored 23 points to avenge a season-low four-point performance in Cleveland’s 133-95 setback in Denver on February 10.
Jarrett Allen recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who saw their losing skid extend to 9 games.
Denver bolted out of the blocks by making its first 12 shots from the floor to record an early 26-14 lead. Porter scored 9 points during that stretch and finished the 1st quarter with 11 as the Nuggets secured a 33-23 advantage.
Sexton made a pair of buckets to trim Cleveland’s deficit to 4 on two occasions early in the 2nd quarter, however Denver’s sharp shooting didn’t allow the Cavaliers to get any closer.
Murray drained consecutive three-pointers and a fadeaway jumper to highlight Denver’s 24-10 surge to end the 2nd quarter.
Murray scored 18 of the Nuggets’ first 19 points of the 4th quarter to push their lead to 114-95 with 4 minutes to play. He capped his night with an emphatic dunk.
Denver’s JaMychal Green sustained a left shoulder contusion early in the 1st quarter. He did not return. – Rappler.com
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