Jamal Murray hit a huge shot to get Denver four much-needed points. But the foul he drew could be even bigger.
Murray befuddled Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns with his step-back jumper, and in the process, drew KAT’s fifth foul. Towns’ fourth foul came just 38 seconds earlier when Aaron Gordon also scored despite contact from the big man.
The back-to-back fouls put Towns and his 20 points on the bench, at least for a few crucial fourth-quarter minutes. However, Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid made Towns’ absence less of a boon for Denver when he banked in a three-pointer to beat the shot clock, then delivered a putback slam on the next possession.
Reid’s 11 fourth-quarter points have covered nicely for Towns. Perhaps his biggest contribution? Zero fouls on three-point shooters.
