Jamal Murray Credits Nuggets’ Bench After Win Over Pacers
· Yahoo Sports
The Denver Nuggets' depth was one of the biggest talking points going into the new season.
The franchise didn't do a whole lot to strengthen Nikola Jokic's supporting cast in the summer. However, the Nuggets' latest win — 114-102 against the Indiana Pacers in Mexico City on Saturday — showed that there may be more potential hiding on their bench than initially anticipated.
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Denver (5-3) leaned on 43 points from its second unit to secure its second straight victory — fourth in the last five games.
Happy JamalREUTERS/Raquel CunhaThe bench performance pleased one of the Nuggets' leaders, point guard Jamal Murray.
Murray still played well, posting 16 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. However, he felt like he could've shot better than 6-for-13 from the field (2-for-6 3PT). But it didn't matter in the end, because the role players stepped up.
"It's really nice to just go in the game, and it didn't feel like I shot well, but the scoreboard stayed up," he said. "That means a lot."
The Nuggets also had four starters score in double figures (seven players total).
Nikola Jokic led the way with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. Cameron Johnson (18) and Aaron Gordon (12) combined for 30 points.
Off the bench, Marvin Bagley III chipped in 10 points. DeMar DeRozan added 11 points and five assists. And, arguably the best news of all, the returning Spencer Jones poured in 13 points in 21 minutes in his season debut.
Jones recovered from the left hamstring strain that caused him to miss the entirety of preseason, and the 25-year-old wing looked like he hadn't missed a beat — shooting 5-for-6 from the field and 3-for-3 from three-point range, adding six rebounds; a massive boost for Denver.
"Guys coming in scoring, taking the load off, making plays, and having more confidence in themselves, I think it's huge," Murray added.
UpwardsREUTERS/Raquel CunhaThe return of Jones could prove crucial for the Nuggets. And they will be expecting this type of production from him after battling to retain his services in the offseason.
The Nuggets re-signed Jones to a fully guaranteed, two-year, $11.75 million contract, matching an offer sheet from the Oklahoma City Thunder. At 6-foot-7, his presence adds a new dimension to Denver's frontcourt on both ends of the floor.
As a collective, the Nuggets look like they may be finding some rhythm. They started fast against Indiana, outscoring the Pacers 64-41 in the first half.
Denver ended up securing a fairly comfortable win despite making five fewer triples. The Nuggets committed just three turnovers, however, to the Pacers' 10. They also found an edge with their physicality getting to the free-throw line.
The Nuggets knocked down 16 of 19 free throws. The Pacers attempted just seven (5-7).