On December 31st, Beijing time, the NBA 2024-25 season regular season welcomes a focus match in the Western Conference, with the Utah Jazz continuing to host the Denver Nuggets. This is the third matchup between the two teams this season, and the Nuggets have won both previous encounters. In fact, although the Nuggets currently rank seventh in the West with a record of 17 wins and 13 losses, their team form is not stable. Especially the second-in-command Murray, who has averaged only 19.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists this season, with a three-point shooting percentage as low as 35%, a career low.
However, with the deepening of the season, Murray's form is recovering. Throughout December, Murray has been averaging 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.6 steals, with his three-point shooting percentage rising to 43.4%. According to data from American media B/R, when Murray takes at least 17 shots this season, the Nuggets have a record of 9 wins and 2 losses; when he takes fewer than 17 shots, their record is only 3 wins and 10 losses. Obviously, Jokic needs Murray to perform at his best for the Nuggets to go further. Regarding Murray's recent return to form, Jokic also has no shortage of praise, saying: "I think since Murray returned from injury, he has been slowly regaining the feeling of winning. He has performed very well recently, always full of energy. I think this is the performance he should be delivering!"
Before the game, American media ESPN also provided the latest win probability prediction for today's game, with the Jazz having only a 32.4% chance of winning, while the Nuggets' win probability stands at a high 67.6%, a significant difference. In terms of starting lineups for this game, on the Nuggets' side, Cancar, Aaron Gordon, and Holmes are still absent, and Coach Malone has lined up the starting five as: Jamal Murray, Braun, Porter Jr., Westbrook, and Jokic; on the Jazz's side, Hendricks is absent, and Collins is unlikely to play, with Khyri Thomas questionable, and the starting lineup is: Khyri Thomas, Sexton, O'Neal, Markkanen, and Kessler.
In the first quarter, George hits a steady three-pointer from the top of the arc to take the lead for the Jazz. Jokic completes a steal, and Westbrook assists Braun in scoring a layup on the counterattack. Jokic grabs an offensive rebound and delivers a no-look behind-the-back pass, with Murray cutting in to receive the ball and easily scoring a layup, giving the Nuggets a four-point lead. Markkanen hits a steady three-pointer from the top of the arc, and after Braun misses a dunk, O'Neal scores another three-pointer on the counterattack, with the Jazz launching a 12-2 offensive run to stop the Nuggets. Westbrook drives the length of the court and scores a layup with a big Euro step, stopping the bleeding in time, and Clarkson hits consecutive threes, ending the first quarter with the Jazz leading the Nuggets by one point, 37-36.
In the second quarter, Bryce Aiken passes the ball out of bounds, and Watson scores a steady three-pointer on the counterattack. Murray sends a long assist just past half-court, and Watson cuts across to complete an alley-oop dunk, giving the Nuggets a four-point lead. Collier scores five points with a combination of inside and outside moves, Jokic's layup is blocked by three defenders, and Kessler scores an alley-oop dunk on the counterattack, with the Jazz regaining a seven-point lead. Westbrook cuts to the basket and scores with his left hand after receiving a pass from Jokic, currently 3-for-3 and already with six points. Braun cuts to the basket and receives a pass from Murray, leaping high to complete a backdoor dunk over Kessler, securing a spot in today's top ten plays. George is stripped by Westbrook on defense, and Porter quickly advances downcourt to complete a two-handed dunk, with the half ending with the Nuggets trailing the Jazz by two points, 64-66.
At halftime, on the Nuggets' side, Jokic shoots 6-for-15, making 1-of-4 threes for 16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal; Westbrook shoots 4-for-4, scoring 8 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal; Murray shoots 4-for-7, scoring 9 points, 1 rebound, and 5 assists, with a negative plus/minus of -10.
It is worth noting that the Nuggets' combined three-point shooting in the first half was only 5-for-19, with a shooting percentage of just 26%, while the Jazz shot 7-for-22 from three-point range, with a shooting percentage of 32%, both not accurate.
In the third quarter, Markkanen and Jokic exchange three-pointers, and Braun scores another two-handed dunk on the fast break, giving the Nuggets the lead. George makes consecutive turnovers, Murray hits a follow-up three-pointer, and Jokic scores again after an offensive rebound, extending the Nuggets' lead to six points. Clarkson hits a pull-up three-pointer to stop the bleeding, but then makes several low-level mistakes, with Jokic scoring six more points, ending the third quarter with the Nuggets leading the Jazz by nine points, 98-89.
In the decisive fourth quarter, Porter Jr. scores a difficult 3+1 against two defenders, and Jokic returns to the court to hit another three-pointer, maintaining the Nuggets' lead. Westbrook finishes an alley-oop dunk after receiving a pass from Jokic, leaving no doubt in the outcome of the game. Ultimately, the Nuggets defeat the Jazz 132-121 in a comeback victory, also handing their opponents their fourth consecutive loss. It must be said that the Nuggets have seen the reality, and Malone must first inspire Murray's form for the team to play freely. If Murray cannot deliver, then even if Jokic performs well, it will be useless.
In the full game statistics, on the Nuggets' side, Jokic shoots 14-for-34, scoring 36 points, 23 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals; Westbrook shoots 7-for-7, scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 0 turnovers, completing a triple-double feat with Jokic once again, an NBA miracle unfolds; Murray scores 20 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals; Porter Jr. scores 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. On the Jazz's side, George struggles with a 9-for-3 shooting, scoring 7 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 turnovers; Markkanen scores 17 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist; Clarkson scores 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.