Trailing by 20 points 4 minutes from halftime, without Jamal Murray injured in his hamstrings, the reigning champions nevertheless ended up winning against New Orleans (134-116). The fault lies with a once again untenable Nikola Jokic, with a triple-double of 35 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists.
The Nuggets thus pocket a fourth success in a row at home, a seventh victory in eight games at the start of the season. And Jokic simply surpasses LeBron James and Jason Kidd with his 108th career triple-double!
Without CJ McCollum injured in the lungs, the Pelicans were deluded for a long time, exploding in particular in attack in the second quarter (44-34), like rookie Jordan Hawkins, author of 13 of his 31 points (personal record) in the period .
A steamroller
Despite the good offensive performances of Brandon Ingram (22 points, 5 assists) and Zion Williamson (20 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists) also very close to the triple-double, NOLA exploded in full flight, notably taking a 14-4 in the middle of the third quarter while another rookie, Julian Strawther (21 points, career record) was also heating up.
Well balanced in attack, with Aaron Gordon (15 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists) and Michael Porter Jr. (22 points, 9 rebounds) who again feasted on the caviars of their Serbian pivot, the Nuggets controlled the end of the match , taking a definitive advantage of +13 in the middle of the last quarter (134-116). As a result, here they are first in the Western Conference and the NBA!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The new show of force from the reigning champions. The Nuggets like to make things difficult this season. As if to prove to themselves that they are still as strong as last year, Coach Malone’s men let themselves fall asleep in the first half, surprised by the hot streak from rookie Hawkins. Waking up at -20, and helped by their own rookie Strawther, the Nuggets gradually resumed their march forward. The Pels of Williamson and Ingram could do nothing to stop the Colorado machine, once started.
– Nikola Jokic’s new show of force. Yet facing a babar in the person of Jonas Valanciunas, Nikola Jokic did not go into detail with a new triple-double and a new dazzling demonstration of his incredible versatility on the pitch. When he didn’t take the balls for himself and finish near the circle, the Joker attracted many double catches before shifting his teammates. A clinic! Now only fourth on the career triple-double list, he is only 30 games behind Magic Johnson (with Oscar Robertson – 181 – and Russell Westbrook – 198 – in his sights).
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Nikola Jokic. What more can we say about the double MVP and last MVP of the Finals? Without his friend Murray, the Joker took things in hand for his team, with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists already at the break! After ensuring the success of his team, and a new triple double which made him a little more legendary, he was able to take a breather on the bench six minutes from the end of the match.
✅ Julian Strawther. Already very good in preseason with two outings (out of four) at twenty or more, the former Gonzaga shooter is confirming that he can find his place in the rotation this year, with 21 points at 8/ 13 on shots including 5/9 from 3-point range in the absence of Murray. A new stroke of genius from GM Calvin Booth and his staff.
✅ Jordan Hawkins. The rookie out of UConn is a hell of a scorer and he proved it last night in the Big League, with a remarkable outing at 31 points, including 13 in the second quarter, and another burst of 10 in the last. A serial shooter, Hawkins finished with a very decent 10/19 on shots including 7/14 on 3-pointers.
⛔️ Herb Jones. Expected to be an executive on the team for his third season at the club, Jones simply got through it against Denver. Sent on a defensive mission to MPJ, the Pels winger did not weigh at all offensively with 4 small points and only three shots attempted in more than 30 minutes…
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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.
