By Daniel Paiz

The Denver Nuggets are one win away from punching their ticket to the second round of the NBA playoffs, thanks in part to Jamal Murray. Playoff Murray’s 43 points secures a 131-115 Nuggets win and a 3-2 series lead over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers. Murray had 43 points, seven assists, and five rebounds to lead the home team.

Aaron Gordon had himself a night as well with 23 points, and Russell Westbrook returned from a foot injury to throw in 21 points off the bench. Some Serbian center also had his 167th triple double of his career, as Nikola Jokic had a quietly impressive 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. All five of Denver’s starters scored in double digits and the team from Altitude held the lead for nearly the entire game.

Game 6 is Thursday as Denver will look to make this road game a close out game.

Game 5 Recap

Denver in the first quarter is pressuring the visitors defensively, leading to rebounds and early buckets. Gordon and Murray each have seven points at the 7:13 mark, 17-6 Denver lead. Denver alternates between aggressive and patient when necessary. 35-23 Denver at the end of one. The defense has been good in spots, and the offensive production has been steady.

Russell Westbrook has 16 bench points early, including two made threes early in the second. Denver’s scoring barrage thanks in part to Westbrook and Murray are hiding the ineffective defense. Denver is hitting shots but allowing too many made buckets from LA; hopefully this timeout midway through the quarter readjusts the defensive effort. Fatigue seems to have hit both teams as there have been some more physical fouls and sloppy sequences. Denver leads 67-59 at the half, but the defense has to pick it up in the third. Denver’s shooting well with 19 points from Murray.

Eight points in the third from Murray makes it 27 so far, he is feeling it. The lead has been close to 20 for Denver through the first four minutes. Some defensive pressure from the Nuggets mixed with hitting shots has given the home team momentum. The effort by Denver is why they’re up halfway through the third, as both teams are still shooting over 50 percent from the field right now. Both teams are battling for every possession. Nuggets lead 99-83 after Westbrook and Braun threes widen the gap and Ball Arena is roaring in approval.

Denver seizes and holds the momentum with a 112-90 lead with just under nine minutes to play. Murray continues to score, LA continues to miss, and it’s a wonderful combo for the home team. Just as that momentum is for Denver, it shifts to LA who rattles off a 10-2 run to make it 114-100 halfway through the fourth. Thankfully for all in attendance at Ball Arena and watching online, Jamal Murray has resurrected playoff Murray. 43 points on the night for #27 guides Denver to the 131-115 win.

Keys to Game 6

• Bench Impact

Denver had four bench points in Game 4 and fixed that with 27 bench points in Game 5. Granted, Russell Westbrook had 21 points and boosted the Nuggets scoring. Russ doesn’t have to necessarily score that much for the potential close-out game, but he does have to offensively chip in again. It would be extra nice if Peyton Watson, DeAndre Jordan, and whoever else may play gets a few buckets as well. This kind of support takes pressure off the starters and improves ball movement.

• Playoff Murray AND Playoff Jokic

For those who have been watching, Jamal Murray has been known to activate a playoff mode in the postseason. Tonight’s 43 points were a reminder for everyone, and it’s something that needs an encore performance. Nikola Jokic can score more than 13 points, and thankfully he didn’t have to. However, Jokic does need to score more in Game 6. If his teammates show up like this in Game 6 like they did Tuesday night, then another quiet triple double should be fine. This season has shown that’s a gamble.

Denver has the toughest game of the series left, a road close-out game. The effort must be similar if not slightly more than Game 5. Outhustle LA, and the Nuggets punch a ticket to round two.

Bonus Content

Back at it with a fifth episode of Mile High Recap with Plumas Poetic right here: