Nikola Jokić was two assists short of his 31st triple-double of the season tonight in the victory against Golden State (116-93), but he did not have any regrets.
On the contrary, he was seemingly pleased that his teammates finally played a team game, without the big drops and depths from which they usually need to extricate themselves.
This time they did not need Jokić to pull them out as in several previous games, so coach Adelman was able to pull him from the game earlier while those 8 assists, 15 rebounds, and 25 points (shooting 20-10, 8-4 for three) stood on his tally.
Draymond Green, in the manner of an old grouch, tried to provoke Jokić, which he has been doing constantly for years, but this time unsuccessfully – he ended up on the bench.
Murray played a good game, the kind he has often played lately, and perhaps the only complaint is that quite often, instead of a return pass after coming off a screen, he continues to rush and play solo.
If Denver had a coach, he might have told him that.
As it is, Jokić’s partner counted to 20, along with 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Among the others, Hardaway and Bruce Brown had 16 and 15 points respectively, as well as Watson (10), who is slowly returning to form.
In the visiting team, weakened without Steph Curry, they were led by Porzingis and Podziemski with 23 each, while Payton Junior stopped at 16.
The Denverites recorded their sixth consecutive victory, which is encouraging after the previous series of losses and ahead of the upcoming playoffs.
The Nuggets are still fourth in the West with a 48-28 balance, chasing the Lakers, and on that path their next obstacle is the guest from a few days ago, the Utah team, only this time in the role of host. This match is played on Wednesday.
MORE TOPICS:
Author: Antonije Kovačević Foto: