Some muffled M-V-P chants reverberated throughout the arena. The score read: Nuggets 52, Clippers 38. Denver never trailed, despite an average game from Nikola Jokic (a 13-point triple-double). Westbrook was not the difference. But he was a reason for the relatively easy win.

The Denver Nuggets season is alive and well after back-to-back wins in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The decisive 131-115 win in Game 5 of the series was aided in large part by Russell Westbrook.

After escaping with two wins in the first four games of their Western Conference playoff series, the Denver Nuggets had their best showing against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 on Tuesday night thanks to Jamal Murray's 43-point night.