The meeting of the top 3 in the West between New Orleans and denver gave rise to a David versus Goliath duel, between jose alvarado (38 points), little Puerto Rican leprechaun with communicative determination, and Nikola Jokic (32 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists), Serbian giant double MVP title.
While the “Joker” began to dominate the debates a little too much, NOLA was able to count on its pocket leader, and good hands from the pair Trey Murphy III (12 marks) — Zion Williamson (25 points), to guide the Pelicans to victory (121-106).
Everything had started well for the nuggets whose solid start resulted in a 14-4, with the Jamal Murray – Nikola Jokic tandem in charge, to quickly bring the gap to +14 (30-16). Problem: the affront had the effect of triggering an immediate reaction of pride from the locals, notably carried by Jose Alvarado.
The Puerto Rican leader signed his entry into play with two 3-point baskets to instigate an 11-1 and revive his team after twelve minutes (31-27). The Pelicans even briefly passed in front in the second quarter, after two new distant missiles from Jose Alvarado then a 6-0 concluded by Jonas Valanciunas (43-39). But Denver managed to come to their senses before the break (60-59), relying on Ish Smith and again on Nikola Jokic, in the pass and especially in scoring (21 points at halftime).
The Serbian pivot continued his festival as soon as the recovery, with a 3/3 including a 3-pt basket, to give some air to his people (67-59). Except that, as in the first quarter, New Orleans responded immediately. This time it was Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III who had to show their fangs, the first with a alley oop and a counter, the second with two huge dunks. This sequence resulted in a 14-2 which completely changed the face of the meeting. Trey Murphy III then hit the nail on the head with a 3-point basket and this time it was up to the Nuggets, relegated to -10, to respond (87-77).
But Jose Alvarado did not give them the slightest opportunity, catching fire again early in the fourth quarter, with two 3-point missiles and four free throws (102-88). The Puerto Rican punctuated his show with three last baskets, to definitively seal the victory of his team (121-106).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– New Orleans consolidates its place in the top 3. It’s the fifth straight win for the Pelicans, who are beginning to pull away from the Suns at the top of the West. This duel against a team that had the same record before the meeting was not trivial and New Orleans managed to score. Despite the absence of Brandon Ingram, and with a relatively discreet CJ McCollum, Willie Green’s men have found the solutions to come away with victory, against a big team in the league. A good omen for the future…
– The Jose Alvarado Show. One of the phenomena of this beginning of the season. He smashed his career high with 38 points, carried by an insolent exterior address (8/11). All with an impeccable attitude and defense. He even allowed himself a few moments of communion with the crowd before the end of the game. Quite simply the match of his life, so far!
– Two saving tomars. The meeting was still undecided at this stage. Nikola Jokic weighed more and more in attack, while Jonas Valanciunas had to deal with fouls. And then there were those two lightning bolts from Trey Murphy III: two huge back-to-back dunks that stunned the Nuggets, who never recovered. The 14-2 that followed left Denver on the spot, KO standing.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ jose alvarado. The leader managed a sensational entry with a rain of 3-pts (5/7 in the first half) to bring and then keep his team in contact. He did the same in the second half, with the same efficiency. The perfect match.
✅ Nikola Jokic. Quiet strength, even if he does not hesitate to use it if necessary. A first half close to perfection, a more than encouraging start to the second half, before being overwhelmed like the rest of his team by the Jose Alvarado show.
✅ Zion Williamson. A rather reliable offensive weapon, strong with an athletic dimension which posed a problem for Denver throughout the meeting. He too was there to restart the machine and consolidate the victory of his people.
⛔️ CJ McCollum. Discreet in the first half, we hardly saw him in the match. Unusual, but inconsequential.
THE FOLLOWING
New Orleans (15-8): the Pelicans will not play again until Wednesday evening, at home against Detroit (02:00).
Denver (14-9): the Nuggets host Dallas on Tuesday night (4:00 a.m.).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kovyyA_AwHc
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