Defending champions Denver Nuggets bounced back after conceding a 21-point lead against Toronto Raptors as they registered a 125-119 win on Monday night. Jokic finished with 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists whereas Jamal Murray scored 26 points.
This was the 21st triple-double of the season for the Serbian as he continued his rich form. Furthermore, Murray added 12 assists and as many points in the fourth quarter.
After the first half, the Raptors were enjoying a healthy lead of 17 points but the Nuggets were able to turn the tables in the third frame, out-scoring the opposition by 42-30. The Nuggets also took the fourth quarter by 32-21.
“He just does a really good job of anticipating and playing the angles,” Murray said. “It’s less about being in the spot, he’s playing the angle and the line of the pass. Shout out to Jok.”
Meanwhile, the Raptors were without Scottie Barnes (left hand fracture ), Chris Boucher (knee), Gary Trent Jr. (groin strain) and Immanuel Quickley (hip flexor) and thus Jontay Porter, Michael Porter Jr.’s younger brother was able to get crucial game time. It is the first time the siblings played in the same NBA game.
“I was really happy for Jontay,” Porter Jr. said. “Not only him being out there but also the way he played. It was a special moment being out there together.”
Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic admitted he knew the opposition was going to play aggressively after trailing behind in the first half.
“An NBA game, you’re up 20 or down 20 the game is never over,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “I know when they come out after halftime they were going to be more aggressive, and how to handle those moments is a learning opportunity for us.”
Murray said they were focused on getting the job done in the second half and they didn’t pay much heed to the scoreboard.
“We knew our energy was a lot better than it was in the first half and that would get us back into the game,” Murray said. “I don’t know when we took the lead, I kind of zoned out. We did a good job of not playing the score, just playing hard.”
Denver Nuggets will next take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
