Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Nikola Jokić’s 20th triple-double propels Nuggets to win over Kings

The Nuggets played well for three quarters, then let the Kings, who were playing on a second-straight night, back in the game late because of poor defense before closing the deal. Nikola Jokić recorded his 20th triple-double of the year and 14th before the fourth quarter. 

“Not every win is going to be where you don’t have to put Nikola [Jokić] back in the fourth quarter,” coach Michael Malone said after the game. “We had to tonight. They jumped out 11-0 in the fourth. They made it a game, and our guys responded well enough to get the win.”

The Nuggets raced out to a 40-31 lead after one quarter. Jokić had seven offerings to six teammates and scored seven points via hook, 3-pointer plus a layup on a horns set going right. On the other side, DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis combined for nine of 16 baskets.

While Jokić took his early second-quarter rest, Jamal Murray got to his spots on the dribble, scoring thrice from long and close range. Michael Porter added four second-chance points, and Peyton Watson protected the paint.

Jokić, Russell Westbrook and Christian Braun returned after five minutes and change with the Nuggets ahead by 15. They continued on a 21-14 run supplied by five Nuggets to end the half. 

At intermission, the Nuggets led 74-52. They led in three key areas: points in the paint 44-24, fastbreak points 9-7 and second-chance points 15-10. Additionally, Murray (16), Westbrook (14), Porter (13) and Jokić (11) were the team’s double-digit scorers.

Then the Kings cut the lead to 12 on a paint attack and three treys. But the hosts responded with 12 of 21 shots from eight Nuggets, including four 3-pointers in the last minute of the period. The last one was a 66-foot bomb from Jokić.

The fourth quarter started with the Nuggets up 110-85, and Murray was the only starter on the floor. The Kings took advantage of the hosts taking their foot off the gas and rattled off 11 unanswered digits before Malone called a stoppage. Jokic scored two hooks in crunch time, but the Kings kept chipping away and eventually were down five with a minute left.

Next, Jokić’s freebies and Braun’s pick-6 put the game out of reach. 

The Nuggets won 132-123. They had 68 paint points, 18 on the break and 19 via second chances. 

Jokić had 35 points on 12 of 19 attempts, with 22 rebounds, 17 assists, one steal, two blocks and one turnover.

Braun scored 21 points on 57.1% shooting, with two rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.  

Westbrook put up 18 points on 70% shooting, with five rebounds, three assists, one steal and three turnovers.

And Murray had 18 points on eight of 18 shots, with six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two turnovers.

The Kings had 52 paint points, 16 on the break and 22 via second chances. Fox, Sabonis, DeRozan, Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles and Doug McDermott were their double-digit scorers. 

After the game, Westbrook said, “I think we are in a good space as a team. We are playing proper basketball and doing the right things.”

Takeaways:

• Aaron Gordon only played six minutes in the first half and 11 in the second. Malone was asked after the game about Gordon’s frustration. He said, “I was told that he had to use the men’s room… Dan Shimensky, our trainer, said, ‘AG went back to the locker room.’”

• Watson had four blocks. This is his 14th game of the year with multiple denials. 

• This was Jokić’s fifth straight triple-double. Additionally, he had a season-high 17 assists, but his four-game streak of sitting in the fourth quarter ended.

• Murray had 16 of his 18 points in the first half. Despite not much production in the second, he was looking more like his old self against the Kings.

• The Nuggets had their second-worst defensive fourth quarter of the season (152 defensive rating).

• The Nuggets have won 12 of their last 15 games.