Victory! Murray with 30+7+8, Jokic's triple-double, Westbrook is amazing, the Western Conference landscape changes
On January 18, 2025, Beijing time, the 20-win and 19-loss Heat hosted the 24-win and 16-loss Nuggets. Butler returned for the Heat, while Jokic and Gordon also returned together for the Nuggets. With both teams' core players present, who would win this battle? The Heat's starting lineup was Herro + Deng Luo + Butler + Hayesmith + Adebayor, while Gordon came off the bench for the Nuggets, with the starting lineup being Westbrook + Murray + Braun + Porter + Jokic.
In the first quarter, Adebayor dunked, Murray responded with a three-pointer, Herro made a layup, and Murray, Jokic, and Porter scored 7 points in a row, giving the Nuggets a 10-4 lead. Butler cut through for a dunk, and Murray and Braun added another 4 points, extending the Nuggets' lead to 8 points. Herro made a layup, Westbrook responded with a three-pointer, and the Nuggets led by 17-8, forcing a timeout from the Heat. After the timeout, Westbrook made a layup, and the gap widened to 11 points. Herro, Adebayor, and Harkless narrowed the gap to 4 points, but Jokic and Westbrook extended it back to 11 points. After the timeout, Jovic scored 5 points in a row, and the first quarter ended with the Nuggets leading 30-24.
In the second quarter, Strasser made a three-pointer, giving the Nuggets a 9-point lead. Well and Herro scored, while Gordon added 6 points, widening the gap to 11 points. Jovic and Rozier narrowed the gap to 6 points, but Gordon, Braun, and Murray extended it back to 12 points. Adebayor and Butler narrowed the gap to 7 points, but Murray and Braun extended it back to 11 points. Herro, Jovic, and Butler scored, but Murray continued to score in response, keeping the gap at 11 points. Deng Luo, Adebayor, and Herro scored, while Jokic and Watson responded, maintaining a 12-point lead at halftime, with the Nuggets ahead 67-55.
Murray had 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists on 8-of-13 shooting in the first half, finding his game form. Jokic had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists on 6-of-8 shooting, while Gordon had 10 points and 3 rebounds. For the Heat, Herro had 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists on 6-of-9 shooting, Adebayor had 10 points and 3 rebounds, and Butler had 8 points.
In the third quarter, Porter and Murray scored 4 points in a row, giving the Nuggets a 16-point lead. Deng Luo, Butler, and Adebayor scored, but Murray, Jokic, and Porter responded, extending the gap to 17 points. Adebayor, Butler, and Herro narrowed the gap to 11 points, but Jokic made a 2+1 play. Deng Luo and Hayesmith scored 5 points in a row, narrowing the gap to 9 points. Braun, Jokic, and Westbrook extended the lead back to 16 points. After a timeout, Jovic and Butler narrowed the gap to 9 points, but Jokic made an amazing pass to Gordon for a dunk, followed by a layup and a three-pointer. The third quarter ended with the Nuggets leading 98-86.
In the fourth quarter, Gordon and Jordan scored 4 points in a row, giving the Nuggets a 16-point lead. Well made a layup, and Strasser and Jordan continued to score, widening the gap to 21 points. Well and Herro narrowed the gap to 17 points, but Porter and Murray extended it back to 22 points. Rozier continued to score, but Jordan and Murray responded, keeping the gap at 22 points. Herro, Rozier, and Adebayor scored, but Braun, Strasser, and Murray responded, maintaining a 21-point lead with over 2 minutes left in the game, effectively ending any suspense. Both teams then withdrew their starters, and the Nuggets ultimately won 133-113.
Jokic only played 3 quarters, scoring 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists on 9-of-12 shooting, achieving his 17th triple-double of the season and setting a new league record. Murray scored 30 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals on 12-of-24 shooting, his first time reaching 30+5+5 this season. Westbrook scored 11 points and 7 assists on 4-of-7 shooting (3-of-4 from three-point range), with 0 turnovers, continuing to create surprises, although he did not have any rebounds. Porter had 14 points and 9 rebounds, Gordon had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, Strasser had 14 points and 1 rebound, and Braun had 12 points and 2 rebounds.
Herro scored 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 10-of-17 shooting, Butler scored 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists on 7-of-15 shooting, Adebayor had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists, Jovic had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Rozier had 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
After the win, the Nuggets solidified their fourth place ranking in the West, while the Heat dropped from eighth to ninth in the East after the loss. Since letting Westbrook start, the Nuggets' record has significantly improved. Westbrook, as a starter, can deliver precise passes, attack the basket, and aggressively defend against opponents' key perimeter players, making him a significant contributor.
Not only has his starting role made it easier for Jokic to play, but it has also activated Murray's state. The Nuggets are now playing better than ever and have the ability to once again challenge for the championship. As a minimum-salary player, Westbrook has brought about such a significant impact, creating a miracle.