Jamal Murray was the number one difference maker in the Denver Nuggets' 128-125 win over the Utah jazz on Monday night and when Murray puts on a performance like he did on Monday, sometimes all his teammates can do is sit and watch in awe. 

Murray scored a game-leading 45 points while shooting 13-19 from the field and 8-13 from three point range. Alongside those highly efficient points Murray added two rebonds and eight assists. 

Murray's volume of points is the first thing that stands out when looking at his performance, but his efficiency is the truly impressive aspect of his dominance. The way that he's able to mix in two and three pointers and land them at such a high rate is why he's been such a dominant guard this season.

His skill and efficiency isn't just the key to his game nor was it the key to the Nuggets' win in what was such a tight game, it's something that impresses many o his teammates, even great scorers in their own right. 

"Just a special shot-making performance. When Jamal gets on them heaters, it's always fun to watch," Julian Strawther said (via Nuggets). "He makes some real, real tough ones. As a scorer, I love to see that and he's just a special talent."

Murray's dominant performance came at the perfect time for the Nuggets. Before Monday's win, Denver had lost back-to-back games and struggled to chain together a series of wins, presenting dire consequences in the context of playoff seeding in the Western Conference. 

It can be argued that a game against the Jazz shouldn't have been as much of a nail-biting affair as it turned out to be either, but a win is still a win no matter how difficult it was to get there. 

With just 20 games left in the season, the Nuggets will need a lot of things to go right. 

Currently in the fifth-seed in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers close behind, the Nuggets need to hold on to as much health as possible for their roster to try and keep them at full strength. 

Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson could be nearing returns from injury, and with them back the Nuggets would be at full strength for the first time in a long time.

With the benefit of health and their stars in Murray and Nikola Jokic performing at high gear, the Nuggets could be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.