Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Nikola Jokić and Russell Westbrook dominate with triple-doubles in the Nuggets’ win over the Nets

The Nuggets dispatched the Nets, and Nikola Jokić, who missed the last two games with an illness, plus Russell Westbrook, logged triple-doubles. 

They started the night back peddling, as the Nets made their initial five attempts, going on a 13-8 run in the first few minutes. But the Nuggets ended the quarter down four points, as seven turnovers hurt them. But Jokić powered through the Nets, dropping hooks and a putback, and Westbrook added five second-chance points.

Then the Nuggets held the visitors to 26.9% shooting in the second quarter. Nic Claxton and Keon Johnson were the only ones to log multiple field goals. On the other side, Peyton Watson made a coast-to-coast layup and two shots off the catch and dribble; Jokić poured in two extra close-range baskets; and Westbrook had a tip-in and a layup from a backdoor cut.

At halftime, the Nuggets were ahead 65-59. They had 40 paint points, nine on the break, nine via second chances, 11 off turnovers and 23 from the bench.

The Nets had 28 paint points, 17 on the break, six via second chances, 14 off turnovers and 10 from the bench. On top of that, they made 13 of 17 free throws. 

Next, Julian Strawther started for Jamal Murray (knee soreness) in the third quarter.  Jokić got things rolling, nailing a trey behind a down screen and cutting in transition for a layup, plus Christian Braun made a 3-pointer, forcing a Nets stoppage two minutes in with the hosts up 12. That did nothing as the crew went on a 14-7 run, compelling another Nets timeout. 

The fourth quarter started with the Nuggets up 94-79. The Nets cut the lead to six with six minutes left, mainly on Tosan Evbuomwan’s two 3-pointers and mid-range pull-up. But the hosts reclaimed control on a spree of Westbrook getting to the line and set-ups for Braun and Jokić. In the period, Jokić made four of five shots, and Westbrook plus Braun tallied 17 points on 71.4% accuracy. 

The Nuggets won 124-105. They had 68 paint points, 23 on the break, 20 via second chances, 21 off turnovers and 29 from the bench.

The Nets had 46 paint points, 27 on the break, nine via second chances, 19 off turnovers and 39 from the bench.

At the postgame presser, coach Michael Malone said Watson was the defensive player of the game. He also said his playmaking stood out. 

When asked about Murray’s second-half absence, Malone said, “It was just acting up… I think Jamal felt, because it was his decision, ‘I just don’t feel right, right now.’ And that’s going to happen with that knee. It’s going to act up once in a while.”

Jokić said he has felt better in the last couple of days, but that he was still impacted in the game. “I felt a little bit more tired.”

Regarding the triple-doubles, Jokić said, “It’s special… how the guys are willing to run the lanes to get to the corner. They know the ball is going to find them.”

Takeaways:

• Murray, who has not played like himself for much of the season, had an uneventful first half, but he was moving well early in the game. He totaled 16 minutes. Malone sounded hopeful Murray could be available for Sunday’s game in Dallas against the Mavericks.

• This was Jokić’s 15th triple-double and Westbrook’s third of the season.

• Westbrook leaping into the air for a tipped pass and hitting Braun with an outlet for a fastbreak dunk was the play of the night. That was one of his four assists in the fourth quarter. 

• Strawther gave a boost off the bench in the first half, scoring on the catch and dribble. Peyton Watson was sharp as well and had an excellent pass from the corner to Joker in the lane. 

• The Nets were held to four of 14 makes outside the lane in the third quarter.

• The Nuggets did a better job of defending without fouling in the second half, allowing the Nets one trip to the line after 17 free-throw attempts in the first.