Jamal Murray's leap: From obsessive scorer to subtle reader of the game
- NBA. Nuggets rout Heat in Game 4, look ready to hammer last nail in Miami's coffin
- NBA. Magic Johnson 'slams' the Heat after loss to Nuggets
Nikola Jokic serves as the definitive focal point of the Denver Nuggets, not solely due to his scoring ability but also because of the mental and physical speed he brings to the team's game.
Standing beside him is his loyal teammate, Jamal Murray, who perfectly complements the Serbian star.
The point guard from Kitchener has relinquished his obsession with scoring, instead focusing on becoming a master of assists.
This is evident in his commanding statistics, having recorded 42 assists in the NBA Finals, with no game dipping below 10.
No other player has provided as many points as he has, not even specialists such as Jokic or Jimmy Butler, who are known for their philanthropic contributions.
The change in Jamal Murray's game
The Canadian player has shed his one-dimensional label and started to flirt with offensive versatility. It marks a new evolutionary leap in his game.
While he remains an exceptional scorer (averaging 26.7 points), Murray's qualitative progression has elevated his playmaking skills, impressively observing the court, and finding the best solutions.
In Game 4, despite struggling with his shooting (5-17 from the field), Murray still managed to impact the game significantly.
He finished with 12 assists, joining Robert Reid, Danny Ainge, Derek Fisher and Magic Johnson as the only players in history to register 10 or more assists without a single turnover. The dynamic duo of Murray and Jokic is dismantling the Miami Heat's defense.
Their dominance on the court is evident in the numbers. In Game 3 of the Finals, Miami's starting five contributed 66 points, 25 rebounds, and 12 assists.
In comparison, Murray and Jokic combined for 66 points, 31 rebounds, and 20 assists, highlighting their control and impact.
Interestingly, in the third game, out of the 80 field goal attempts made by Mike Malone's team, only 18 were from beyond the three-point line, and they converted a mere five shots, resulting in a mediocre 27.8 percent success rate.
Against tight defenses, shooting from behind the arc typically plays a critical role. However, the Nuggets managed to win without heavily relying on it-an unusual occurrence.
They became the first team since 2013 to secure a victory in the Finals with five or fewer made three-pointers.
Throughout the playoffs, Murray has been averaging an impressive 26.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. His performance remains enigmatic and difficult to decipher.