Jokic has 31 factors and 15 boards, Nuggets beat Raptors 113-104 for fifth win in 6 video games
TORONTO — Nikola Jokic had 31 factors and 15 rebounds, Canadian guard Jamal Murray scored 20 factors in his solely common season look north of the border and the Denver Nuggets beat the Toronto Raptors 113-104 on Wednesday night time.
Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. every scored 12 factors and Peyton Watson had 11 as Denver received for the fifth time in six video games.
“It wasn’t the prettiest of second halves but we’re .500 on the road now,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated.
The Nuggets received their third right away from house and evened their street report at 8-8.
“Our offense has been a lot more efficient (in road games),” Malone stated. “We’re getting back to playing our style of basketball.”
By topping 30 factors towards Toronto for the primary time, Jokic has scored 30 or extra towards each NBA opponent. He shot 13 for 23 and had six assists Wednesday, together with a behind-the-back dish to Gordon within the first quarter.
“If you’re going to play on our team, you’d better be expecting the basketball because if you’re open, the ball will definitely find you,” Malone stated. “Some of our young guys find that out the hard way.”
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, who is aware of Jokic from working along with the Serbian nationwide crew, praised his countryman for recording his four-hundredth profession double-double and his NBA-leading twenty fourth of the season.
“That’s Nikola Jokic,” Rajakovic stated. “It’s nothing new in this league, it’s happening every single night.”
Jokic stated he was at Rajakovic’s house on Tuesday to rejoice a Serbian vacation.
Murray shot 9 for 22 and matched Jokic with six assists, successful in Canada for the primary time since Dec. 2018. The Raptors honored Murray’s contributions to Canadian basketball with a video tribute throughout a stoppage within the second quarter.
“I appreciate Toronto for having me on the screen like that,” Murray stated. “Little stuff like that means a lot. Obviously it’s good to come here and try to put on a show for my family and friends.”
Jokic stated Murray wasn’t the one one who felt strain to carry out for the Toronto followers.
“It’s not just him,” Jokic stated. “There’s a Serbian population here, so I’m kind of glad that we won the game.”
Scottie Barnes had 30 factors, two shy of his career-high, and 10 rebounds for Toronto. Pascal Siakam added 18 factors for the Raptors.
Toronto got here in having received 5 of seven house conferences with the Nuggets. In their most up-to-date house matchup on March 14, the Raptors used a franchise-record 49-point first quarter to win 125-110, however they couldn’t duplicate that feat Wednesday.
Toronto fell behind by 21 earlier than chopping the hole to 5, 96-91, on a 3-pointer by Precious Achiuwa with 6:06 left within the fourth, however that was as shut because the Raptors acquired. Jokic iced the win by scoring 9 factors down the stretch.
“That game got more interesting than it should have,” Malone stated.
Toronto completed with 26 assists, ending a franchise-record five-game streak with 30 or extra assists.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Visit Brooklyn Friday night time.
Raptors: Visit Philadelphia on Friday night time.
