The Denver Nuggets’ nine-game win streak came to an end in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
One of the big reasons the Denver Nuggets have been improved lately is the turnaround in form from Jamal Murray.
The Canadian point guard put up 55 points against the Trail Blazers and 34 against the Hornets leading into this one.
The LA Lakers were able to restrict him to 19 points, while Nikola Jokic only managed 12.
Denver lost 100-123, their lowest total offensively since scoring 104 points against the Timberwolves in January.
The LA Lakers win was galvanized by their offense, with Luka Doncic putting up his best performance since being traded.
LeBron James added 25 to Doncic’s 32, with Austin Reaves adding 23. Another who contributed valuably was Rui Hachimura, who scored 21.
Speaking to a press conference post-game, Jamal Murray was asked what it was like playing against LeBron James and Luka Doncic together.
Murray did not devote too much time gushing over the pair. He pointed out that it was not necessarily their brilliance that swung the game.
Instead he pointed out that Rui Hachimura’s scoring spree was the difference in keeping Denver at arm’s length.
Murray said: “They are great players, but Rui coming in and nailing that thing, their role players, played amazing and it’s tough to guard those two guys.
“And then everybody else is coming in the game and playing like that, playing with confidence and shooting the ball really well.
“Two great players, tough to guard. They made some shots and plays, but like, throughout the course of the game, it was to me, other guys that just kept them up by 20 or 10 or whatever it was.
“That made it difficult, and we weren’t able to get a stop.”
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone accepted his share of the blame for the team’s home defeat.
He pointed out that the Lakers were more forceful, and credited opposing head coach JJ Redick.
Malone said: “It speaks to their aggression, their physicality and our inability to handle it.
“That ultimately falls on me to get a team ready to play. We were outplayed tonight. We were outcoached tonight.”
