The Denver Nuggets basketball players recorded another important victory at the end of the regular part of the NBA season – on their home court, they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 117-109, practically securing a place in the playoffs. The central figure of the match, as usual, was Nikola Jokić, who recorded another triple-double with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Nikola Jokić has officially entered NBA league history – the Serbian national team player and leader of the Denver Nuggets has become only the third player of all time to finish a season with a triple-double average. He is also the first center in history to achieve this.
Before Jokić, only Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook managed to finish a season with a triple-double average.
Although the Grizzlies did not give up, and at one point had a 15-point lead, Denver showed character and patiently broke the resistance of their rival. The match was also the second since the team is no longer led by Mike Malone.
The opening quarter belonged to the guests, who took advantage of the Nuggets’ nervous start and took a +10 lead.
Denver struggled against Memphis’ organized defense, but Christian Braun, with eight points in the second quarter, woke up the home team and brought them closer by halftime (trailing by only six points).
Memphis regained a double-digit lead at the beginning of the third quarter, but then Jokić took the stage – he scored six consecutive points, and Russell Westbrook tied the score at 86-86 with a three-pointer. Westbrook then drew four free throws, and the Nuggets were down by a minimal margin before the final quarter.
The drama culminated in the final quarter. Memphis took the lead for the last time (108-107), but then Denver shifted into high gear. Jokić, Murray, and Westbrook orchestrated a 13-0 run in the final minutes. It all started with a mid-range shot by Murray, then Westbrook stole the ball, and Jokić scored for 112-108.
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This was followed by another Westbrook assist on a fast break for easy Jokić points, which put an end to the match for Denver.
Jokić’s new triple-double was accompanied by 33 points from Aaron Gordon, while Murray added 15. On the other side, Desmond Bane stood out with 24 points, while Ja Morant scored 21.
Denver now awaits their last game against Houston in the battle for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, while Memphis remains without a chance to secure direct placement in the playoffs.
With the Lakers’ victory against Houston, Denver lost their chance for third place, and as Minnesota, Golden State, and the Los Angeles Clippers also won, their placement in the top six is still not secured, but Nikola Jokić’s team holds its own destiny in its hands.
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Source: Nova.rs, Photo: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Reuters