Murray, Jokic help Nuggets rally for 124-119 win over Heat
DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray struggled to find his range or rhythm for most of the game.
Then crunch time hit. So he was imprisoned.
Murray had seven of his 14 points in the last two minutes, Nikola Jokic had his eighth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Miami Heat 124-119 on Friday night.
“Coming back and beating this team is definitely a great win,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone.
Jokic finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. The two-time reigning NBA MVP was 8 of 15 off the floor, marking his team record for 26 straight games with 50% or more shooting. He has 84 career triple-doubles.
With Denver trailing 117-115, Murray took over as the point guard scored seven points in a row — a 3-point point, two free throws and a floating jumper — to help the Nuggets, with New Orleans for the top spot in the Western Conference to stay connected.
“I’m just proud that our boys are sticking around tonight,” Malone said. “Jamal stays tuned, doesn’t hang his head, but so does our team.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Nuggets with 20 points on a perfect night shoot — 7 of 7 from the floor, including 4 for 4 from 3-point range and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. The Nuggets made eight players double digits to equal 20 turnovers.
“Our communication is a big part of taking the next step and becoming a championship caliber team,” said Caldwell-Pope, who was blatantly fouled for not giving Tyler Herro room after a shot with 2:23 left had given to land. “Our defense and offense in the fourth quarter is great. … But now our goal is just to try that over the 48 minutes and not wait for the fourth quarter.”
Herro had 26 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. Bam Adebayo added 22 for the Heat, which began a five-game journey across the west.
Duncan Robinson hit with three long-range shots to become the franchise’s leader in 3-point scoring with 807, one more than Tim Hardaway.
“You want to go there with a win, so that’s disappointing,” said Robinson. “Just feel very lucky to get it. … I’ll definitely take a second to appreciate it.”
Miami bounced back from a terrible shooting start — 4 of 22 — to keep things close until taking a step toward the start of the third quarter. The Heat took the lead early in the third on Herro’s 3-pointer – and led from up to nine – but couldn’t hold on.
“We’re proud to be able to win games with defensive stops,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “I don’t remember a stop in the last three or four minutes. It seems like they scored or fouled on each of those possessions.”
TIP INS
Heat: Herro hit all four of his free throws to bring his streak to 24. It is the fourth longest streak of his career. … Spoelstra drew a technical foul in the third quarter for arguing. Kyle Lowry had another in the fourth quarter. … forward Caleb Martin was scraped up with a quadriceps injury.
Nuggets: Bones Hyland had five 3-pointers and 16 points. … Aaron Gordon had 11 points. He also pulled a technical foul in the second quarter.
POP QUIZ
Malone was asked if this was an important test considering Miami’s physical basketball type.
“Every night is an exam. I mean that sincerely,” Malone said. “We know they (the Heat) have the ability to do really big things in this Eastern Conference.”
NEXT
Heat: In Utah on Saturday night.
Nuggets: host Boston on Sunday night.
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