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.

Jamal Murray erupted for 43 points and Russell Westbrook chipped in 21 in his return from a foot injury, sparking the Nuggets’ 131-115 win over the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday night that gave Denver a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series.