As the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. is well aware, the trade deadline is part of the business in the NBA. “As long as I’m here, I’m going to be here and I’m going to be happy, and I’m going to play hard and try to be available and try to help win games,

Porter and Trey Murphy were going back and forth all night at the small forward position. While Porter had 36, Murphy led the way in the game with an impressive 41 points. The young Pelicans forward has blossomed this season in a larger role, and the Nuggets had little answer for Murphy other than to deny him the ball as much as possible.