DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Rudy Gobert #27 of … [+]
The Denver Nuggets have won eight straight games, and while the competition hasn’t been against Tier-1 teams, the stretch was both necessary, and a point of return for a team very much still trying to win another championship.
Jokić brilliance
With Denver improving its record, it allows Nikola Jokić to once again feature heavily in the MVP conversation.
The 30-year-old center is averaging a rather ridiculous line of 29.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists on the season, while hitting almost 58% of his shots.
Jokić has been Denver’s best, and by far its most consistent, player this season, and has had to shoulder more responsibility when teammates have gone down with injuries, or simply struggled.
After back-to-back years of losing Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets have needed consistency, and Jokić has simply stretched himself further to provide this.
Fortunately, he’s beginning to receive help from his fellow star point guard.
Jamal Murray’s return to stardom
It’s no secret that Jamal Murray has struggled, and mightily so, for long stretches this season, and even dating back to last year.
Murray has had several periods where he couldn’t follow up great games with even adequate ones, which led to Denver needing stability, especially offensively.
Over his past 16 games, Murray has regained his touch, as he’s averaging 25.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, while connecting on 53.2% of his shots.
Whether this proves sustainable for the rest of the season remains to be seen, but Murray looks noticeably more active, is seemingly moving better out on the floor, and his confidence appears to have turned a corner, as he now releases shots in a far more aggressive, and determined, factor.
The availability of Michael Porter Jr
While the 6’10 forward is, somewhat ironically, out these days with a minor hamstring injury, his overall availability this season – and last – has offered a major boost to the Nuggets.
Porter Jr, who has had three back surgeries, routinely missed huge chunks of his early seasons, including his entire rookie year, but has missed a grand total of four games over last season and this one, signaling a significant turn of events.
The 26-year-old is scoring 19 points per game this season, while connecting on 41.7% from downtown, as the team’s primary wing shooter.
The combination of Jokić’s MVP run, Murray getting back into form, and the reliability of Porter Jr, means the Nuggets could still be a strong candidate to go on a serious postseason run this year.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
