Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman said he won’t hesitate to give the ball to Jamal Murray when the game is on line, despite the latter missing several key free throws down the stretch, which may have forced overtime against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
“I hope he shoots them again, cause he’s a great free throw shooter. He’s made some of the biggest free throws in the history of this franchise,” Adelman said of Murray via Rachel Strand of ClutchPoints. “Tonight was one of those nights. There was fatigue out there for sure, for both teams. They (Detroit Pistons) just had made one more play than we did.”
“That wasn’t a pretty game. And for whatever reason, we seem to stay in most of these games… I’m pissed we lost. But also, I just enjoy watching these guys play. I think they play the right way. Even when things get ugly, they don’t hang their heads and keep coming,” he continued.
With the Denver Nuggets down 107-104 with 3.5 seconds left, Murray drew a foul on Javonte Green during a three-point attempt, but went 2-for-3 from the charity stripe. After Tobias Harris converted two free throws for the Detroit Pistons in the ensuing possession, Murray drew another foul with 0.7 seconds left, but only went 1-for-3, and the hosts eventually lost 109-107.
Denver Nuggets News: Jamal Murray takes the blame for defeat vs. Detroit Pistons
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was hard on himself for missing the clutch free throws against the Detroit Pistons. The one-time NBA champion did all he could yesterday, registering 24 points (team-high), five rebounds, and 10 assists on 7-for-18 shooting from the field and 10-for-15 shooting from the charity stripe.
“I just gotta be better. Had an opportunity there, twice. Just wanted to redeem myself. This wasn’t my night. I’ve just got to be better. I could be better all throughout the game – not just missed free throws. I didn’t play well today,” Murray lamented via DNVR Nuggets.
“The stats say otherwise, but I didn’t feel I had a major impact on the game. I didn’t take advantage of my opportunities. I played too slow. We can make all the excuses in world, but I just gotta be better,” he added.
