By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets drew up a 1-0 lead with the 135-125 overtime win over the Utah Jazz on Monday in the first game of the 2020 NBA playoffs taking place in the Orlando bubble.
Nikola Jokic missed his chance to close out in regulation but bounced back in extra time moving up to 29 points. The Serbian big also put in 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block over 42 minutes. Jamal Murray scored a team-high 36 points including ten straight with sides exchanging leads late in the fourth period.
Rudy Gobert highlighted an epic European battle with Jokic containing the Nuggets captain in the last play of the fourth quarter. Foul trouble prevented him more effective defense in overtime, ended up with 17 points, seven rebounds, four blocks, two steals, and one assist.
Donovan Mitchell went for 57 points, personal-high, a franchise record for a single postseason contest, and third-best scoring performance in playoffs history. He sank 19/33 from the field, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out seven assists completely taking over in large portions of the second half.
Mike Conley was out but is expected to return to the bubble and get cleared for action further down the first round.
Game 2 is scheduled to continue the best-of-seven series on Wednesday.
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