Nuggets still can't chain 10 victories in a row, but they have this ability to quickly bounce back. Beaten at home by the Lakers, Nikola Jokic's partners have resumed their march forward by winning fairly easily in Indiana.
In fact, the Nuggets got their hands on the game from the first possessions with a joke joker. After being muzzled by the Lakers, the MVP 2024 takes advantage of having space to direct the game as he pleases. The passes are perfect and Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray can mark easily (17-8). On the Pacers side, the defense is naive, and it is Zeke Nnaji's turn to take on Jokic caviars. After twelve minutes, Denver leads 36-28.
On the pacers side, we only work out of jolts. A 6-0 signed by the Siakam -Haliburton duo allows you to go from -13 to -7, but as there are no “stops” behind, Jalen Pickett gives air to the Nuggets. Obi Toppin will finally pose the most problems for nuggets. First, with a nice pass to the Jokic in the heart of the defense for Myles Turner, then with a dunk on counterattack. At the break, the Pacers caught up part of their delay (64-58).
What a jookic festival!
Upon returning from the locker room, Jokic resumes his caviar distribution. It is Michael Porter Jr. who feasts, and Denver resumes 12 points ahead (70-58). Nuggets remain within reach of the Pacers, but Jokic has the art of demoralizing Haliburton's partners by his quarterback passes. He continues them, one by one, and his teammates finish the job. Like Gordon with 3-point (83-69) or Zeke Nnaji near the circle (89-77). And to spend a quieter evening, Jokic does not forget to score and launch an 8-0 to finish the quarter (100-83).
In the last quarter, the Pacers will try to get closer several times, but Jokic will continue to disgust them by reading the game. This time, it is Christian Braun who is finishing. It seems so simple, and the Nuggets finally won 125-116 without ever having trembled.
What to remember
A record for Jokic. No triple-double for Nikola Jokic, but a record for the pass with 19 assists! The Serbus has almost signed half of the passes in his training (39 passes on 53 baskets).
Interior domination. The defense of the Pacers has never found the solution to Jokic's reminders, and its millimeter passes. As a result, the Nuggets archinated in painting with 74 points at 46, but also 46 rebounds at 32.
End of series. The Pacers remained on 3 row wins, and this setback has consequences, since they left 4th place in the Bucks. They will also have to be wary of the pistons, which are talling them.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
