In a recent intense NBA game, the Nuggets defeated the Magic with a score of 113-100. In this match, the Nuggets performed brilliantly, and the four truths behind the game are worth our in-depth analysis.
Low-Salary Westbrook, Playing Second Fiddle Strength
Westbrook, who joined the Nuggets on a low salary, was originally positioned as a supporting role, but he played the part of the second fiddle on the court. On the offensive end, Westbrook scored and connected the team with both hands. He and Jokic had a perfect understanding between them, and in the fast-paced counterattacks, Westbrook did not covet credit, always passing the ball at the right moment. In the third quarter, his assist to Braun for an alley-oop dunk set the atmosphere ablaze. Defensively, Westbrook was equally commendable, running all over the court with a positive attitude and not letting go of any defensive opportunity. In this game, Westbrook made 5 out of 9 shots, scoring 12 points efficiently, and also contributed 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
Jokic's Efficient Triple-Double, Easily Controlling the Whole Game
Jokic didn't take many shots in this game, but his efficiency was extremely high, making 7 out of 9 shots to score 20 points, and also adding 14 rebounds and 10 assists, easily achieving a triple-double. In the first quarter, when his teammates were not feeling their best, Jokic took the initiative to step up, using his strong personal ability to take over the scoring and open up the situation for the team. By the third quarter, the opponent strengthened their defense against Jokic, adopting a double-team strategy, but Jokic cleverly defused it, constantly creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. With Westbrook's excellent connection on the side, Jokic also didn't need to do everything himself as before, and after three quarters, he could easily clock out.
Murray Warms Up, Becoming the Key to the Team's Offense
Murray had a cold hand in the first half of this game, which put the team's offense in trouble for a while. However, entering the third quarter, Murray quickly adjusted his state, scoring 10 points alone in a single quarter, instantly widening the point difference. His shooting accuracy directly affects the team's offensive rhythm, making him the barometer of the team's offense. In the whole game, Murray made 8 out of 16 shots, scoring 19 points and 24 assists, contributing greatly to the team's victory.
Braun Makes Significant Progress, Nuggets Bench Weakness No More
Braun, who entered the starting lineup this season, has made remarkable progress. Not only does he have stable shooting ability beyond the three-point line, but he is also quite sharp in fast-break attacks. In this game, Braun scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, performing very comprehensively. Since Gordon moved to the bench, Braun successfully filled the starting vacancy, and the Nuggets' bench weakness, which was once criticized, is no longer so obvious.
In this game, the Nuggets played well as a team, with Westbrook's impressive performance, Jokic's stable output, Murray's timely recovery, and Braun's significant progress, allowing us to see the team's strong strength and deep roster depth. It is believed that in subsequent games, the Nuggets will continue to maintain their good form and launch an assault towards higher goals.