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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Whatever confounded the Denver Nuggets in their initial back-to-back losses seems to have come to an end. Nikola Jokic and Co. have now ended the losing streak with three straight wins, Game 5 being the most impressive of it all! Much has been said by the man himself and everyone else about how the ‘Joker’ proceeded to cook the Timberwolves. Ex-champion Kendrick Perkins even sent out a warning to the league and the all-time NBA greats that the 3x MVP was “coming for their spots.”

As much as it was the Slovenian big man’s epic night, the whole team was right behind their champion in annihilating their opponents. Aaron Gordon has been nothing short of remarkable. Jamal Murray might have had a bit of a downer, but he still makes an impact. As the ‘Mile High City’ prepares to visit Target Center, the injury reports have dropped and Murray is on it.

Jamal has been listed as questionable with a left calf strain. On the other end, Minnesota’s key piece, Mike Conley, remains sidelined. Initially described as a sore right Achilles tendon, Conley is now said to have a right soleus strain with a questionable tag, as well. Denver Gazette beat writer, Vinny Benedetto, posted the earliest injury update.

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“Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (left calf strain) and Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley (right soleus strain) are both “questionable” for Game 6. Conley’s injury was originally described as a sore right Achilles tendon.”

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There is no doubt that Denver will look to end things when the game tips off at 8:30 PM ET in Minneapolis. Even though it looks like the Nuggets will seal the deal, the Wolves are slight favorites at home. As such, can they avoid elimination?

Jamal Murray might not be his usual self, but he does enough damage to make an impact

Since the Nuggets won last season, nearly every team has been worried about the Jokic-Murray death trap. The 6’4 Canadian emerged as a major boost to Nikola’s already efficient gameplay. But Murray’s injury has seen him struggle and get frustrated at not being able to do his best. That’s when everybody suddenly took note of the 28-year-old forward, Aaron Gordon. The Arizona product’s increasing ballhandling duties helped the team in ways they didn’t expect.

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For one, it took off a huge responsibility from Jamal Murray. Easing the workload of the star point guard certainly helped him get back to health. Of course, Murray hasn’t returned to full health, but his past three games have seen much better numbers. For instance, in the two Denver losses, the Kentucky product shot only a combined 9-of-32 from the field.

As opposed to them, he has gone 26-of-52 in the last three matchups. While Murray isn’t exactly dominating, neither is he hurting anyone with his dismal shooting nights anymore. Anyway, Michael Malone is sure to stick with the winning formula that got them three victories. So, unless Minnesota has a secret weapon or some big games from Anthony Edwards and Co., the Denver Nuggets look poised to win it all.