After two losses this season against the Rockets, the Nuggets finally took revenge with a very easy victory (134-124). A success marked by the return of Jamal Murray after a month of unavailability. The Denver leader immediately found his place in the starting five, and coincidence or not, the Nuggets signed their best quarter of the season with 41 points, and a lead which will increase to 19 points (32 -13).
At the initiative of this great start, there is Michael Porter Jr., unleashed against Dillon Brooks with a big 3-point skill. At his side, Jamal Murray reassures everyone with a shot of the logo, at the 24-second limit. With numerous crosses that break the defense, Nikola Jokic distributes the play to perfection with eight passes in the first quarter. The efforts of Aaron Holiday and Alperen Sengun are well isolated, and Denver takes off (41-26).
Jalen Green goes wild
In fact, the Nuggets will never be behind, and they will maintain a lead of 10 points or more throughout the game. Only a hot shot from Jalen Green in the 3rd quarter, author of 4 of 4 at 3-points in the period, will force Mike Malone to put Kentavious Caldwell-Pope back in his paws (103-93).
It is KCP precisely, on yet another caviar from Jokic, who puts the lid on the match with a 3-pointer in the corner (118-102). Reggie Jackson does it again with an easy basket in the middle of a defense too focused on Jokic (123-104). There are five minutes left to play, and Ime Udoka is already whistling “garbage time”. The Nuggets sign a 3rd victory in a row (134-124). The first against Houston this season.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Houston is cracking. Fifth loss in seven matches for the Rockets who lost their aggressiveness in defense. The rotations are slower, and facing Nikola Jokic, installed at the head of the racket, the defense was completely lost, unable to slow down his passes and drives.
Murray was scary. Two minutes into the game, and now Murray limps back to the bench during a timeout… Fortunately, nothing serious, and the Nuggets leader will reassure everyone with a 3-pointer from the logo! A satisfactory return with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. It’s him, at the start of the 4th quarter, who gives it another shot. With Murray in its ranks, Denver has a record of 7 wins for 1 loss.
Jokic in triple-double. With 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds, the Serbian has already signed his 7th triple-double of the season! His first quarter is a model of its kind with passes flying in all directions. After a long month of competition, there were 15 triple-doubles, almost half of which went to Jokic alone…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
