Pelicans
Jamal Murray scores 42 as Nuggets erase 23-point deficit, beat Pelicans in OT
The Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in overtime at Ball Arena. Denver trailed by as many as 23, then won the fourth quarter 37-18 and the extra period 15-9 behind 42 points from Jamal Murray and a 35-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic. Denver is 1-2 and 10th in the West; New Orleans is 0-3 and 14th.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 9 h ago01The story of the nightThe fourth quarter flipped itNew Orleans controlled most of the night.
New Orleans controlled most of the night. The Pelicans scored 38 in the first quarter, led 73-57 at the half and led 108-89 after three. Their biggest lead was 23. Then their offense stalled. New Orleans scored 18 points in the fourth while Denver scored 37, and regulation ended tied 126-126. The Nuggets kept the push going in overtime and outscored the Pelicans 15-9 to close it out. The lead changed hands only 2 times, and Denver's biggest lead all night was 6. The Nuggets spent almost the whole game chasing.
02Murray and Jokic carried DenverJamal Murray scored 42 points on 12 of 25 shooting.
Jamal Murray scored 42 points on 12 of 25 shooting. He made 8 of 16 threes and 10 of 13 free throws, with 6 assists and 0 turnovers. Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double: 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. He went 8 of 8 at the line and added 2 steals and 3 blocks, but also had 6 turnovers. Off the bench, Trevon Brazile scored 17 points with 9 rebounds and made 3 of 7 threes. Christian Braun added 15 points and 8 rebounds on 7 of 11 shooting. For New Orleans, Trey Murphy III led the way with 26 points on 10 of 17 shooting. Dejounte Murray had 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
03Threes and free throws beat the paintThe Pelicans won inside and in transition.
The Pelicans won inside and in transition. They had a 70-56 edge in the paint, a 23-14 edge on the fast break and a 51-40 edge in bench scoring. Denver won the categories that held up late. The Nuggets made 15 of 47 threes to 11 of 38 for New Orleans. They went 30 of 39 at the line to 24 of 30, and they won the rebounding battle 62-56. Both teams took 99 shots, so Denver made up the difference with threes and free throws. New Orleans turned it over 18 times to Denver's 11. The Pelicans still had a 17-15 edge in points off turnovers.
04What it means for New OrleansThe Pelicans are 0-3 and 14th in the West, and this loss will hurt.
The Pelicans are 0-3 and 14th in the West, and this loss will hurt. They shot 50.5% from the field, scored 135 and still lost. Derik Queen was efficient off the bench with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 of 5 free throws. Zion Williamson scored 17 on 7 of 11 shooting. Saddiq Bey added 14, and Jordan Poole handed out 7 assists. DeAndre Jordan went 3 of 3 with 9 rebounds. But Jeremiah Fears shot 4 of 12, and the team made just 11 of 38 threes. New Orleans blew a 23-point lead and then scored 18 points in the fourth quarter.
05What it means for DenverThe Nuggets are 1-2 and 10th in the West.
The Nuggets are 1-2 and 10th in the West. They shot 48.5% and leaned heavily on Murray and Jokic, who both played heavy minutes. The rest of the starting group gave less. Aaron Gordon went 2 of 9 from the field and 1 of 6 from three, though he added 5 rebounds and 4 assists. DeMar DeRozan scored 12 off the bench and made 4 of 4 free throws. Brazile was the biggest boost from the second unit. Denver came back with shooting, free throws and rebounding, not points in the paint.
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