OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Aaron Gordon scored 27 factors, Nikola Jokic had a triple-double and the Denver Nuggets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-110 on Thursday night time.
Jokic, the two-time reigning league MVP, had 15 factors, 13 rebounds and 13 assists. It was his third triple-double this season and the 79th of his profession. He handed Wilt Chamberlain’s report for many triple-doubles for a middle.
Jamal Murray added 24 factors for the Nuggets, who had been coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
The Nuggets led by 19 factors within the second quarter however needed to battle for the win.
“Was it a complete 48 minutes? No,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned. “But the thing I’m most proud about is that even when they were on that huge run in the third quarter and we just seemed to stop playing any defense and we turned the ball over ad nauseam, we regrouped. We didn’t panic.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 37 factors. He made 13 of 17 subject targets and all 11 of his free throws. He did not shoot a 3-pointer, which was tremendous with Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
“He’s so efficient, and I think he’s got a nice blend,” Daigneault mentioned. “I think if he wasn’t getting to the line and wasn’t getting to the rim and wasn’t out in transition and it was just solely the midrange stuff, that’s probably not a sustainable diet. But he’s got a lot of diversity there (so) it’s pretty sustainable, and he chooses his spots nicely with how efficiently he shot it. He’s doing a nice job for us.”
Lu Dort added 19 factors and Josh Giddey added 16 for the Thunder, who had gained 4 straight.
The Thunder had been profitable across the basket, however made simply 6 of 29 3-pointers.
“Some of it was good looks that we missed,” Daigneault mentioned. “We got a little hasty there in the fourth, especially early on a night where they’re not really falling. I think that’s the night you’ve got to be really stubborn about finding other ways to score.”
Denver scored the sport’s first 13 factors because the Thunder missed their first six pictures. The Nuggets led 71-57 at halftime behind 23 factors from Gordon.
“Aaron Gordon tonight, the start he got us off to — attack mode,” Malone mentioned. “Just relentless. When he plays with that attack mindset he’s a hell of a player.”
Jokic scored simply two factors within the first half, however he additionally had 9 rebounds and eight assists.
Gordon’s observe dunk over Oklahoma City’s Darius Bazley gave Denver a 75-65 lead, however the Thunder had been undeterred. Aleksej Pokusevski’s layup lastly gave Oklahoma City a 93-91 lead. The Thunder led 95-93 heading into the fourth.
The Nuggets took management within the remaining interval by holding the Thunder to 7-for-22 taking pictures. Gilgeous-Alexander, who entered the night time fourth within the league with 31.5 factors per recreation, scored simply 4 factors within the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Murray scored 14 factors within the remaining 12 minutes.
“He got going,” Malone mentioned. “He found that rhythm shooting into a big basket.”
Nuggets: Shot 65.2% within the first quarter to take a 42-29 lead. … Gordon scored 15 factors within the first quarter. … Beat the Thunder 122-117 on Oct. 22.
Thunder: Got fined $25,000 for violating league harm reporting guidelines. The league mentioned Oklahoma City did not disclose Giddey’s recreation availability in “an accurate and timely manner” earlier than its recreation in opposition to Orlando on Tuesday. … Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 factors within the first quarter. … Bench was known as for a technical foul with 8:07 remaining and the sport tied at 101.
Nuggets: Host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
Thunder: Visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
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