The case for the Nuggets to have a couple of All-Stars is stronger than ever. Nikola Jokic, who’s all but a lock to play in his eighth All-Star Game in February, is yet to have a teammate accompany him to the festivities, but Jamal Murray took another step toward changing that by scoring a game -high 32 points on 11 for 22 shooting from the field and 7 for 12 from 3-point range. “The efficiency has been through the roof,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “He’s just having a hell of a season, man. That’s all I can say.” Murray was at his most lethal in the second quarter. He made 5 of the 6 3s he attempted and scored 20 of his points. “I’m just playing the game. Whether I score or not, the focus is on winning and bringing the right energy to win and shooting aggressive shots and playing my game. Let the outcome and the results just handle themselves.” The last of his five 3s in the quarter was an off-balance shot that banked in at the end of the quarter. Murray, with a wry smile, said using the glass was intentional. “I couldn’t line it up, so I just had to bank it,” Murray said. Murray’s offense helped the Nuggets blow the game open. It helped that Denver only allowed 22 points in the quarter, two fewer than Murray scored on his own. “Much better defensive intensity, activity with our hands. I’m never worried about us not scoring,” Adelman said. “That was one of our best quarters of the whole season.” Jokic further cemented his resume with another triple-double, posting 23 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. He went 10 for 17 from the field, and his seventh assist moved him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career assists by a center. Whether he’s voted in or selected by the coaches, Jokic can make plans to spend February in Los Angeles. Murray’s case isn’t as airtight, but it’s getting stronger seemingly by the game. “I’m not looking for the 3. I’m just looking for the ball, honestly. I think the energy is contagious. I think they can sense the way I’m putting the ball in the hoop, and they want me to keep doing it, so they keep finding me and encouraging me to keep going,” Murray said. “It feels good.” NUGGETS 126, MAGIC 115 What happened: Denver trailed by seven after the first quarter but used a dominant second to lead 68-54 at halftime. It remained a 14-point game to start the fourth, and Denver improved to 20-6 on the season with a sixth straight win. What went right: The Nuggets closed the second quarter on a 35-7 run. Murray had a lot to do with the offense, but holding Orlando to seven points over the final 7:47 of the quarter was a team effort. What went wrong: The Magic went 5 for 11 from 3-point range in the first quarter, while Denver made just 1 of 9 attempts. The Nuggets’ only make was a wild shot from Murray. Highlight of the night: Spencer Jones came up with a steal for a fast-break slam in the first half. In the second half, Jalen Pickett found the forward with a no-look pass for an even more impressive dunk that saw Jones leap from the right side of the basket and do a 180 before throwing down a right-handed slam. Up next: The Nuggets host the Rockets for the second time this week with a 3 p.m. tip Saturday. ...read more read less