By Joel Bartilotta
RotoWire
The Denver Nuggets used a decisive third quarter to put away the Utah Jazz, 80-60, in the second round of the Las Vegas Summer League tournament Thursday at Cox Pavilion.
The Nuggets led, 37-33, at halftime but broke it open in the third quarter, outscoring the Jazz, 27-12. Denver led by as many as 23, holding Utah to 34.8 percent shooting from the field, including 5-for-25 from 3-point range.
Rookie Jamal Murray scored a game-high 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting for the fourth-seeded Nuggets, adding five rebounds. Jimmer Fredette totaled 12 points, five rebounds and four assists as the only other Nugget in double figures.
Shaquielle McKissic scored 10 points to lead No. 13 Utah (2-3) with the remaining starters contributing just 22 points. Mike Tobey and Dionte Christmas each scored 10 off the bench.
The Nuggets (3-1) advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals where they will play the Phoenix Suns. The Jazz will play the Cleveland Cavaliers-Los Angeles Lakers loser Friday in a consolation game.
