Denver Nuggets Defeat Atlanta Hawks 128-108

Summary

The Atlanta Hawks entered Saturday night's game against the Denver Nuggets as significant underdogs. Atlanta was on the second night of a back-to-back and without Trae Young. Denver, the best team in the Western Conference, dominated Atlanta 128-108.

Without their first option available, Dejounte Murray led Atlanta with 28 points and ten assists. However, it was Nuggets guard Jamal Murray who stole the show. Murray led Denver with 41 points and seven assists.

Denver hit their season average of 39.5% of three-point attempts. Their well-rounded offensive effort resulted in five players scoring in double-digits. NBA MVP candidate Nikola Jokic sat back and let his teammates cook the short-handed Hawks for most of the game.

After trailing by as much as 22 points in the third quarter, Atlanta eventually chiseled Denver's lead down to eight points with under six minutes remaining in regulation. But for every run Atlanta made, Denver would come up with a timely defensive stop, or Murray would hit a clutch shot.

Atlanta falls to 27-27, while Denver improves to 37-16 on the season. Atlanta heads to the Big Easy for a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. After their pit stop in New Orleans, Atlanta's five-game road mercifully comes to an end.

Stats

Hawks Leaders 

Dejounte Murray - 28 PTS, 10 AST

De'Andre Hunter - 20 PTS, 4 AST

AJ Griffin - 15 PTS,4 AST

Nuggets Leaders

Jamal Murray - 41 PTS, 7 AST

Michael Porter Jr. - 23 PTS, 2 AST

Aaron Gordon - 15 PTS, 4 REB