Murray and Strawther play hero roles, as Nuggets force Game 7

It had all the makings of a “One, two, three, Cancun” game. The Nuggets were coming off of back-to-back heartbreaking losses, blowing fourth-quarter leads in Games 4 and 5, collapses that let the chance to win or take control of the series against the Thunder slip through their fingers. Throw in the pregame news that Jamal Murray was listed as “Questionable” for the game with an illness and it all added up to Denver finally waving the white towel, calling “Uncle” against the No. 1 seed in the West.

But that didn’t happen.

Instead, the Nuggets came out strong, leading by as many as 10 points in the first quarter. Then, they withstood a Thunder-dominated second quarter, posting a 15-4 run to end the half to only trail 61-58 at halftime.

From there, it was a good, old-fashioned slugfest. It was a battle between heavyweights, with each team throwing haymakers and the other absorbing the blows. The second half was like Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed, a classic back-and-forth affair.

Late in the third quarter, however, the Nuggets took charge. Fueled by an unlikely hero, with Julian Strawther coming off the bench to chip in eight of his 15 points in a quick flurry, Denver finished the period on a 10-2 run. Leading 90-82 heading into the fourth, the game had an eerily familiar feeling, with the ghosts of Games 4 and 5 looming.

This time, however, the Nuggets didn’t crumble. Even when the Thunder cut it to seven points late in the fourth quarter, Denver found a way to hang on. Powered by 25 points in a heroic effort by Murray, a 29-14-8 night from Nikola Jokic and 23 from Christian Braun, the Nuggets were able to capture Game 6, winning 119-107.

The victory sets up a decisive Game 7 on Sunday in Oklahoma City. A trip to the Western Conference Finals will be on the line, with the Minnesota Timberwolves awaiting the victor.

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