“ Let's be honest, we were horrible in the first half. » The observation is from Mike Malone and does not seem too exaggerated considering the first period delivered by Nikola Jokic and his gang, led by 22 points in the second quarter against a Raptors team deprived of several executives.
“ When you're down by 20 points, pride probably comes into play. You don't want to get blown out, especially at home. “, completes his pivotwhich says that there is a word in Serbian, “ very complicated to translate » to describe the Nuggets' state of mind at halftime.
The Nuggets leader adds: “ In the first half, they scored a lot and we didn't defend. We simply had to match and exceed their physical dimension, which is how we turned the match to our advantage. We fought. The whole team showed their character today. We don't give up. »
The locals had to react in defense after conceding 68 points in the first 24 minutes. Nikola Jokic set an example in this regard: six interceptions, his record this season, as well as two blocks. Including an important one less than six minutes from the end in front of Ochai Agbaji who took the baseline.
126th career triple-double
“ We have a good defense, when the match is close, we rely on it. I don't know how to explain it, but it was one of those nights where they play with a lot of aggression. We were always one or two times behind in communication, we were slower than them in the first half », Analyzes the Serb.
The latter once again signed a statistical line that came out of nowhere: 35 points (14/26 on shots), 17 rebounds and 12 assists for 58 ratings! His 21st triple-double of the year, the 126th of his career.
But Mike Malone will also remember that he changed the situation thanks to his defensive investment. “ It's annoying that people criticize Nikola's defense for not averaging three blocks per game. But basketball purists, those who watch, notice that he has some of the best hands in the league. I think he's in the Top 5 or 6 in deflected balls per game (editor’s note: 7th with around 3 per match). »
The technician adds: “ He deflects passes with his feet, he did this big counter at the end, going up vertically. He's never going to outperform a player athletically, but he's going to be smarter. He has tremendous anticipation, great hands, and I believe he is one of the most underrated defenders in the league. »
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 80 | 22 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 73 | 28 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 80 | 31 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 32 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 ★ | DEN | 72 | 35 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 ★ | DEN | 74 | 34 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 69 | 34 | 63.2 | 38.3 | 82.2 | 2.4 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 24.5 |
| 2023-24 | DEN | 62 | 34 | 58.3 | 35.0 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 9.3 | 12.2 | 9.2 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 26.0 |
| Total | 658 | 31 | 55.7 | 34.9 | 82.8 | 2.6 | 8.0 | 10.7 | 6.9 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 20.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
