Nuggets survive elimination

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Jamal Murray scored 33 of his 42 points in a second half where he played every minute and Denver avoided elimination by beating Utah 117-107 on Tuesday night in Game 5.

The Nuggets trail the sixth-seeded Jazz 3-2 with Game 6 on Thursday.

Murray was unstoppable down the stretch in nearly matching his 50-point effort in Game 4. He hit 17 of 26 shots and had eight assists, including a pass to Nikola Jokic for a 3-pointer with 23.6 seconds remaining that sealed the win.

“Whenever he’s like that we are winning the game or we are really close,” said Jokic, who also didn’t sub out in the second half

The dynamic tandem of Murray and Jokic clearly weren’t ready to leave the NBA bubble just yet. Jokic had it going early as he scored 21 of his 31 points in the the first quarter.

Murray took over late after his team fell behind by as many as 15 points in the third quarter.

With the game tied at 101, Murray scored nine straight for Denver to put the Nuggets up by nine with 1:20 to go.

Donovan Mitchell finished with 30 points. The sharpshooter is averaging 37.6 points over the five games.

Reserve Jordan Clarkson added 17 points and Joe Ingles scored 13.

The Nuggets turned in their best third period of the series when they needed it most. Trailing 63-54 at halftime, they outscored the Jazz 28-23. Utah has dominated the third quarter by a 142-92 margin before Tuesday.

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Paul George scored 35 points, Kawhi Leonard added 32 and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series. Mavs’ Luka

L.A. Clippers 154, Dallas 111:

Doncic, who hit a game-winner at the buzzer in Game 4 to cap off a 43-point triple-double, was held to 22 points on 6-for-17 shooting. Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis sat out with right knee soreness. It was the second

straight game he missed. Dallas coach Rick Carlisle was ejected in the third quarter of the testy game, which included six technicals and a flagrant-1 foul. The Clippers lead by as many as 45 points in the second half.

Mike Ehrmann The Associated Press Nuggets’ Jamal Murray drives against the Jazz during the first quarter Tuesday. Murray scored 42 points in Denver’s victory.