With their second game on national television in just over a week, the Denver Nuggets (9-6) dispatched the New Orleans Pelicans (8-8) with ease on Friday night at Pepsi Center, 146-114. The 146 points are the most any team has scored in a single game thus far in 2017-18. The Nuggets have done an excellent job protecting their home floor, as they have compiled a 7-2 record on the early season.
After three days off, Denver came out firing on all cylinders and outscored New Orleans 37-19 in the first quarter. Guard Jamal Murray and forward Paul Millsap combined for 21 points in the quarter.
It was the Murray show as “The Blue Arrow” scored 31 points in the win, just one shy of his career-high mark. Murray was lights-out from the floor, making 13 of his 18 shots from the field and 3 of 7 from beyond the arc. He also tallied four assists and two rebounds with a +/- of 30.
The 31-point outing was the third-consecutive double-digit performance for Murray who has 81 points in that span, making 32 of his last 58 field goals.
Beyond Murray, the rest of the Nuggets starting five was on point, accounting for 101 of the teams 146 total points.
Gary Harris made a return following a two-game absence dealing with shoulder soreness. Harris was dialed in, recording a season-high 22 points. Nikola Jokic also had a sneaky good outing as he recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six assists.
The Nuggets will now pack up the show and take it on the road as they will now shift their focus towards the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff in L.A. on Sunday night is set for 7:30 p.m. MST.
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