David Adelman believes that one star for the Nuggets stepped up when the team needed him the most.
The Denver Nuggets scored a key victory over the LA Clippers, moving up 3-2 in the playoff series. It was a victory in the Nuggets’ statement.
Nikola Djokic looked like his shell, which was a holiday night for him, as he scored just 13 points. Russell Westbrook came out of the bench to deliver a strong 21-point performance.
Bill Simmons praised the new dynamics Russell Westbrook brought to the Nuggets from the bench. And there certainly are many benefits to the praise Westbrook receives in the points he brings to the team.
However, tonight the Nuggets had one player who delivered at the superstar level, and David Adelman was excited about his show.
Read more: Jamal Murray is tackling a confrontation with Norman Powell after Game 2.
David Adelman spoke after the Nuggets’ Game 5 victory. When talking about Jamal Murray, he only praised the point guard.
Murray scored 43 points. This includes some big shots from the fourth quarter. Adelman pointed out that he is the person who plays at the highest level in the largest minutes.
“Jamal is doing what Jamal is doing. We helped him a little bit in the way they’ve been protecting him. We thought we’d have him better, better off the screen and allowed him to play in the rhythm.”
“This is a team game. When guys get hot, they’re hot and he’s just a special player as usual.”
“Deandre, Nikola, Russ, whoever they put Zubac on, obviously Zubac is a really good defender. But we moved him in space.
“Some of the shots he made were absolutely ridiculous. I said it before the game – it’s coming with him. In these big moments he was born for this. A special night for Jamal.”
Read more: Nikola Djokic claims that the winner of his failed game came after misunderstanding with fellow Nuggets star, “I saw…”
Murray has strong numbers in the playoffs, averaging 24.6 points, 6.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds in five games.
And although he has struggled in several games, he has been a major contributor to his winning performance in this series up until now.
The Denver Nuggets hope that Murray can replicate this performance at least one more time in this series.
They won this series and face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who took a break in the second round, being one victory as they headed into the second round.