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Jamal Murray's 42 points help Nuggets stave off elimination vs. Jazz

With the Denver Nuggets’ season on the line, the version of Jamal Murray that led the team to give him a $170 million deal last summer showed up.

The Nuggets guard went off for 42 points in a 117-107 win for the Nuggets, who staved off elimination in Game 5 against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz now lead the series 3-2.

With 42 points on 17-of-26 shooting (4-of-8 from deep), eight rebounds, eight assists and zero turnovers, Murray was dealing damage from all over the court. However, it was an unreal move in the paint late in the third quarter hat encapsulated his night.

Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a shot during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Jamal Murray could not be stopped on Tuesday. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)

Jamal Murray’s jaw-dropping 360 spin

Splitting two defenders away from the perimeter, Murray drove to the basket and was met by Rudy Gobert in the paint. As the NBA’s best rim protector threw out his gargantuan wingspan, Murray unleashed a 360 spin move and finger roll to continue a Nuggets surge.

That was part of a 15-2 run for Denver to erase a 12-point Utah lead between the third and fourth quarters.

Murray’s big night came after a 50-point performance in a Jazz win in Game 4, which added up to some Nuggets history. Simply put, Murray shattered a two-game scoring mark previously held by Carmelo Anthony.

Between that 50-point night and a 12-point performance in Game 3, it has been an up-and-down time in the bubble for Murray. The Nuggets can only hope his scoring continues as they seek two more wins against the Jazz.

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