The Nuggets played the for the fourth time already this season Tuesday night, but in some ways the teams aren’t all that familiar.
Nuggets point guard missed his second consecutive game with a sore back, becoming the latest player between the two teams who have missed games in the series so far this season.
Utah forwards Derrick Favors and Alec Burks, a former University of Colorado standout, missed the first three games between the two teams and Jazz guard George Hill had missed two of the three entering Tuesday’s matchup. Nuggets forward Danillo Gallinari missed the Nov. 23 matchup with a thigh strain.
The latest absence opened the door for rookie to see more time at the backup point guard spot, and Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he is excited to see what the 6-foot-4 guard out of Kentucky can do at the position going forward.
Malone has hinted that Murray could be seeing more minutes at point guard regardless of what other guards are healthy and in the lineup.
“The biggest positive coming out of the Minnesota game was Jamal Murray and his minutes and play at point guard,” Malone said of the Nuggets’ 111-108 loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday. “I thought he did a fantastic job out there. He was aggressive and rebounded. He looked to make plays. It’s another great opportunity for Jamal to get extended minutes at backup (point guard).
Murray had 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and just one turnover in 20 minutes Sunday. It was his highest-scoring output since tallying 22 points in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 5.
Malone: Take all-star vote “seriously.” Malone defended the criticism coach Steve Kerr leveled at NBA players Monday in response to the “mockery” he believes some of them are making of the all-star voting process.
In a new system for voting this season, players’ votes account for 25 percent in determining the starters. Some players cast votes for players who log few minutes or who haven’t even played this season.
“I think Steve makes a fair point,” Malone said. “If the NBA and the players’ association want to have a voice, and they asked to have a voice and a vote — which is fair because it’s a players’ league — then take it seriously and make sure you’re voting for guys who are worthy of being an all-star. When you have guys who haven’t played very many minutes at all getting all-star votes, that is not a real vote.”
