Murray scores career-best 48 as Nuggets, now 9-1, top Celtics
Jamal Murray simply got caught up in the moment when he hoisted a long shot with the clock winding down.
He took some heat for it. No disrespect meant, he said.
Murray scored a career-high 48 points, 19 in the fourth quarter, and the Nuggets overcame a sluggish start to beat Boston 115-107 in Denver on Monday night.
The point guard knew he was on from his first jumper — a deep three-pointer. He might have ruffled some feathers with his last — an even deeper three in an effort to score 50.
“My emotion took over as it normally does when I get going like that,” Murray explained.
Murray was feeling it all night, hitting 19 of 30 shots, including five threes. He had two attempts to reach 50 points in the final seconds, but missed a reverse layup and then that three at the buzzer — one that might have bothered some Celtics with the game decided.
“What kind of competitor wouldn’t it bother? I was (mad), but we’re not going to make a big thing about it,” said Kyrie Irving, who scored 31 points on 13-for-17 shooting.
Denver head coach Michael Malone said some players on his team talked to Murray about the late shot.
“He’s young. He’s still learning,” Malone said. “You never want to try to disrespect anybody. It wasn’t disrespect. He was trying to get to 50 points.”
Raptors 124, Jazz 111: Kyle Lowry had 17 points and 11 assists as four Raptors scored 17 points in visiting Toronto’s win over Utah. Serge Ibaka, OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet also had 17 points as the Raptors were bolstered with six players in double figures to win their fourth straight game.
Rockets Harden made 98, Pacers a tie-breaking 94: James threepointer with 34.8 seconds left and closed out visiting Houston’s win with four free throws. The reigning MVP scored 28 points as the Rockets won their third straight since starting 1-5.
Thunder 122, Pelicans 116: Host Oklahoma City won its fifth straight game but lost guard Russell Westbrook to a sprained left ankle. After coming down hard on the side of his foot, Westbrook limped off the court. The Thunder led 84-77 when he exited with 4:25 left in the third quarter.
Bulls 116, Knicks 115: Zach LaVine scored a career-high 41 points, including the game-winning free throw with 0.2 of a second left, as visiting Chicago won in double overtime.
Magic 102, Cavaliers 100: Evan Fournier hit a 22-foot jumper at the buzzer and host Orlando came back from a five-point deficit in the last 24 seconds to win.
Clippers 120, T’wolves 109: Tobias Harris scored 22 points, Lou Williams added 20 and Los Angeles dropped Minnesota to 0-6 on the road.
Heat 120, scored Pistons 27 points 115: Josh to lead Richardson shorthanded Miami past host Detroit in overtime. Richardson hit four free throws in the final 2.1 seconds, helping end the Heat’s skid at three games. The Pistons have dropped five in a row.
Cavs, Drew make up: Larry Drew’s awkward impasse with the Cavaliers is over. The Cavs relented to Drew’s requests by restructuring his contract and signing him to be their head coach for the remainder of this season — and perhaps beyond. Drew’s new deal includes a team option with a buyout for next season.