Is Jamal Murray’s Game 5 Spark a True Breakout or Just an Illusion?

But Murray’s firepower isn’t all about Jokic, and he showed that in Game 5. When Jokic was off the floor to start the second and fourth quarters, the Nuggets outscored the Clippers by a combined 32-30. Anything that isn’t a train wreck when Jokic is on the bench is a victory; winning those minutes is a massive boon.

The Clippers have some great defenders to throw at Murray. Kris Dunn is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and Derrick Jones Jr. has size, athleticism and discipline. But the Nuggets were able to generate favorable situations often in Game 5 and not just by using the pick-and-roll with Jokic, although that’s obviously a staple of the offense.

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