LAS VEGAS – The Denver Nuggets used a strong third quarter blitz to defeat the Utah Jazz, 80 – 60, Thursday night in the Las Vegas Summer League tournament.
Jamal Murray and Jimmer Fredette got off to a hot start, scoring 15 of the first 37 points for the Nuggets. Murray finished with 20 points while Fredette added 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
“I’m just getting better as the days go on,” Murray said. “I’m just trying to help the team win.”
Denver also used a balanced attack, with 11 players scoring at least a bucket.
Both the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz came into the game with plenty of energy. But there were still some typical Summer League miscues, such as sloppy passing and unforced turnovers.
At the end of it all, the Nuggets stepped up when it mattered most.
Denver outscored the Jazz by 15 points in the third period and carried that momentum into the final period.
Aaron Craft, Shaquielle McKissic, and Dionte Christmas scored 10 points apiece for the Jazz. Joel Bolomboy had six points and eight rebounds.
The Nuggets will play the Phoenix Suns in a quarterfinal matchup on Saturday at 4 p.m. MST at Thomas and Mack Center.
The Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz 80-60 during their fourth 2016 Summer League game held at the Thomas And Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV.