Russell Westbrook is surprising hero in Nuggets' Game 1 victory

Westbrook forced a steal that sealed the Nuggets' 112-110 victory. He may not have been efficient, scoring 15 points on 5-of-17 shooting, but Westbrook also had eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, with just one turnover. He was +7 in his 34 minutes, filling in for a disappointing Michael Porter, Jr., who scored only three points.

When the Nuggets needed him, Westbrook came through, hitting a three-pointer with 24 seconds left to give Denver a late two-point lead in regulation.

In the aftermath of the Nuggets firing Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with three games left in the season, much of the blame was put on Westbrook. But new coach David Adelman still went with Westbrook in their opening playoff game, in part because he's one of the few Nuggets with the strength to guard James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

The Nuggets will tolerate Westbrook's erratic shooting if it comes with tenacious defense and an instinct for big plays. He may have cost his coach his job, but he also won his team a crucial playoff game.