In another outstanding performance, Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a victory against the Houston Rockets with a final score of 134-124.
Denver is gradually finding its form, securing their third consecutive win. The team, under the guidance of head coach Mike Malone, dominated from the start, with excellent ball movement in the offense and a remarkable 41 points in the first quarter, establishing a 15-point lead. The Nuggets maintained a 13-point advantage at halftime, with the Serbian basketball star playing a pivotal role.
Although Houston attempted a comeback early in the third quarter, Denver thwarted their efforts and kept a double-digit lead until the end of the game. This victory marked Denver’s 13th win of the season, securing their position in the second spot in the NBA Western Conference.
Nikola Jokic delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 32 points, distributing 15 assists, and grabbing 10 rebounds without a turnover. Michael Porter Junior also had a stellar game with 30 points and 10 rebounds. On the opposing side, Jalen Green contributed 26 points.
In a thrilling match in Canada, the Toronto Raptors defeated the Phoenix Suns with a final score of 112-105.
The game featured the return of Kevin Durant, who had missed the previous two matches. However, even Durant’s return couldn’t secure a win for the visiting team. Similar to the Denver-Houston game, the key to this match was the first quarter. Toronto managed to impose their style of play in the opening quarter, establishing a seven-point lead, which remained the halftime difference.
In the second half, the Suns attempted to play at a faster pace to bring the game into their preferred rhythm, but they were unsuccessful. The Raptors maintained control and ultimately secured the victory, ending Phoenix’s seven-game winning streak.
Durant, in his comeback, scored 30 points, and Jusuf Nurkic had an outstanding performance with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. For the winning team, Scottie Barnes led the scoring with 23 points, while Pascal Siakam contributed 22.
Currently, Toronto holds a 9-10 record, while Phoenix has a record of 11-7.