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Things start badly for nuggets, with Nikola Jokic which takes two faults very quickly. Consequently, he joined the bench, having hardly played in the first quarter.
Things therefore start well for the Knicks who, in stride, spend a 15-0. We see the same thing as against Memphis: a rebound and it runs forward, for easy baskets. A few moments later, the pace descends and with a well-present Jamal Murray, the Nuggets return (31-27).
The second quarter is balanced and Denver players will only crack at the end, with lost balloons and failed shots, transformed into transitions for Knicks (60-54). The break did good to the troops of Michael Malone. They find their best level of play, in attack as in defense, with a 9-0, Jamal Murray being particularly good. But Jalen Brunson too, and the Knicks, under his impetus, resume orders (93-86).
With two 3-PTS from Nikola Jokic then another from Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets stayed in the race during the last quarter. Nevertheless, it is fragile and, logically, it explodes when Jalen Brunson puts rhythm. The coughing and defense attack fails to limit access to the basket. The layups are linked and the Knicks won 122-112.
What to remember
– Jalen Brunson's huge match. The Knicks playmaker was simply superb, with 30 points at 10/16 at the shoot, 15 passes, 4 rebounds and 2 interceptions. All while losing only 2 balloons. Excellent to alternate shoots, penetrations and assists, he dictated the tempo and hurts Denver very much.
– irregular nuggets. While they had held out without Nikola Jokic in the first quarter, Colorado players have often experienced falls of tension. For a few minutes, it holds, it defends well and it attacks properly. Then, for three or four minutes, it is the opposite. And as the triple MVP did not make a big match (17 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists in 33 minutes), faced with such a fit team, that could not be enough.
– series in progress for both teams. After this meeting, the Nuggets are now on three losses in a row when the Knicks have been on a fifth success of row and approach Boston for second place in the Eastern Conference.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.