NBA Power Rankings: Blake Griffin trade shakes things up

The Nuggets were able to shrug off a rough January with a three-game winning streak, picking up victories over the Trail Blazers, Knicks and Mavericks this week. Jamal Murray exploded for a career-high 38 points on Monday, out-dueling Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, including a clutch three-point play in the final minute. The Nuggets have lacked a number one option on offense all season, and tonight was a chance for Murray to stake his claim for that role.

The Nuggets beat the Knicks again, having defeated them 10 straight times in Denver, a stretch going back to 2006, with a 130-118 victory on a night where defense was optional. Seven Nuggets players finished with double-digit points, and they were able to get Kristaps Porzingis to foul out with about five minutes remaining in the game. Nikola Jokic picked up a tripl- double in their final game of the week, and the Nuggets barely edged out the Mavericks, 91-89, on Saturday. Murray was removed from the starting lineup due to a violation of team rules, and the offense struggled without their starting point guard and his ability to test defenses from the perimeter. Mason Plumlee had some clutch defensive plays in the final minutes, as the defense was able to keep the Mavs off the board after the Nuggets took the lead with just over one minute remaining.