Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Jokic and the Nuggets are 9-1 since Jamal Murray got hurt.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mark J. Terrill/AP.)
The Denver Nuggets probably did something a little unexpected. Jamal Murray was out for the season and with their second-leading scorer out, we weren’t sure how the Nuggets could replace his prolific perimeter shooting.
Of course, we forget that the Nuggets still have leading MVP candidate, Nikola Jokic. He led the Nuggets to a huge win against the Clippers and, in the process, Denver jumped over the Clips for the third seed. Ever since Murray was deemed out for the rest of the campaign, Denver has gone 9-1.
Now we can debate on Jokic’s merits for MVP for the rest of time. Especially since, more or less, Ivica Zubac made Jokic work for it; Zubac was a +5 when he was on the floor. But the entire time Jokic was on the floor, the offense was excellent for the Nuggets. In the third quarter, the Joker went for 18 of his 30 points. Overall, he went for 30-14-7 and Denver escaped with a 6-point win.
What we have also failed to account was who was going to step up in Murray’s offense. Michael Porter, Jr. has filled that role. Even before Jamal got hurt, though, he had become a consistent scorer for the team. But with him getting more shots, Porter has averaged 25.6 points to go along with 6.7 boards.
Not only that but his defense has noticeably improved. He seems to be more aware of what to do on that end and effort can really go a long way. As he continues to figure out, his elite athleticism can make him one of the better defenders on the team. And we know how badly Denver needs that defense.
I’m not saying Murray doesn’t matter to this team; he obviously does. But Jokic and Porter stepping up their games might be able to make up for what they’re currently missing. So far, they are proving it and more. I’m not convinced yet that Denver could get back to the West Finals without Murray but, hey, they have showed their resiliency in the last two seasons over and over.
What a battle the West will be come the postseason.
Bullet Passes
We had some LINES today. Zion Williamson went 14 for 17 and a 37-9-8 game. Lonzo Ball had a career-best 33 points and also went for 11 boards and 8 dimes. He tied his career-high with 8 threes.
Dorian Finney-Smith hit a go-ahead three with 9 seconds left to give the Mavericks a much-needed win over the molten Wizards. That three was assisted by Luka Doncic, which gave him his 20th assist. Luka finished with 31-12-20 in a rare 30-point, 20-assist triple-double game. The only ones that have done that are Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook narrowly missed a trip-dub with a 42-10-9 performance. By the way, Westbrook has 177 career triple-doubles, only 4 behind the Big O himself.
Stephen Curry added another 7 threes in G. State‘s blowout win over the hapless Houston Rockets. He’s made 103 threes from April 1 to now. That’s a span of 16 games.
LaMelo Ball returned and promptly did this outstanding underhand full court pass like he’s Pistol Pete Maravich. He finished with 11-7-8 in the Hornets‘ win over the Pistons.
So you see the final score just below this. 152-95. The Pacers won by 57. That’s the biggest margin for a road win.
NBA Scoreboard
May 1, 2021
Watch This Play
Cole Anthony has done it again.
“I DO THIS S–T” 🗣
Cole Anthony is CLUTCH @brhoops pic.twitter.com/f6GmydxmtO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 2, 2021
And his post-game interview might be even better! I like Cole, man. Hopefully, the Magic can turn it around very soon.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.