Murray, who had been in a shooting slump in the series and missed his first eight shots in the game, connected with his last seven to lead Denver with 24 points, after coach Michael Malone told him to persevere.

"I played horrible for three quarters and he told me to keep shooting," Murray said.

The Nuggets went on a 16-4 run in the third quarter and continued their hot shooting in the fourth.

The next two games of the seven-game series are in San Antonio, starting on Thursday.

In Toronto, Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 37 points while Kyle Lowry bounced back from a scoreless play-off opener with 22 as the Raptors routed the Orlando Magic 111-82.

After a shock first-up loss on their home court to the east's seventh-seeded Magic, Toronto got off to a flyer and were never headed.

Game three is Friday night in Orlando.

AAP