To return, Nikola Jokić scores 31 points and brings victory to the Nuggets

If the Nuggets have recently lost Aaron Gordon in at least a month, David Adelman could count on his return Nikola Jokic (31 points, 12 rebounds, 8/11 shooting) will host the Clippers. The Serb doesn’t waste time making statements since the beginning of the meeting, he notes Spencer Jones open for 3 points. If the three-time MVP scores seven of Denver’s first thirteen points, the Clippers respond and the two teams hang for much of this first act.

The first deficit in this match is in favor of Denver thanks to the score 7-0 Tim Hardaway Jr. (22 points, shooting 6/9, from distance 5/7) i Peyton Watson. Despite the arrow at a great distance from Nicholas Batum (6 points, 3 rebounds) entering the game, the Clippers trailed 27:35 after twelve minutes of play.

This gap reaches the ten unit mark from the beginning of the second act. The Clippers are as clumsy as these two open 3-pointers that Nicolas Batum missed or this missed dunkIvica Zubac. To bounce back, Californians can count on a heat wave of James Harden (25 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists). The leader drops eleven points in a row and brings his team to two possessions. Before entering the locker room, Jamal Murray scores the winning basket and Denver maintains control over this match (59-50).

After the break, Los Angeles showed a new face and got back on goal early John Collins does not give them an advantage (69-68). The Nuggets’ response was immediate thanks to contributions from Tim Hardaway Jr. The wing made three winning shots in a row and pushed the Clippers (87-78). As in the second quarter, Jamal Murray ends this third act with a long shot (92-80).

Tim Hardaway Jr. and Nikola Jokic are closing up shop

To open the fourth quarter, Tim Hardaway Jr. used a jump ball he won Jonas Valanciunas to score another long shot. The Nuggets then have a fifteen-point advantage, which is the biggest deficit in the match, but the Clippers don’t give up right away. Tyronn Lue’s men go 13-2 Kobe Sanders etc Kawhi Leonarddiscreet from the beginning of the meeting.

David Adelman is forced to take a timeout. After this stoppage in play, Tim Hardaway Jr. missed one of his rare 3-point shots of the night, but it fell to his feet Jordan Miller. The former Dallas player went down and if the referees didn’t initially call a foul, they reversed their decision and awarded the winger three free throws, and he made them all. However, he immediately returned to the dressing room with an ankle injury.

A few minutes later, the same Jordan Miller sent Nikola Jokic to the line for two more free throws. The Serbian continues with a behind-the-back pass for Peyton Watson before definitively sinking the Clippers with a long-range shot. Denver won 122-109 for its second straight win before hosting OKC this week.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Nikola Jokić did not lose anything. Absent for a month, Nikola Jokić shined upon his return to the game. From the first quarter, he carried Denver’s offense and allowed the Nuggets to stay ahead thanks to numerous free throws. The Serbian makes 17 passes on the line for thirteen successful shots. At the end of the match, he was responsible for sealing the fate of this match with this sequence where he followed up an assist to Peyton Watson from distance.

– Tim Hardaway Jr. caught fire coming off the bench. When Nikola Jokic went to sit on the bench, the Nuggets didn’t sink, thanks in large part to Tim Hardaway Jr. As the Clippers regained control of the game, the winger took it upon himself to put his team to safety with three straight shots from behind the arc. He scored another to open the fourth quarter, giving his team a fifteen-point lead. A delay that Los Angeles will never be able to make up for. Tim Hardaway Jr. confirms his very good form currently and finished with 22 points on 6/9 shooting and 5/7 from distance.

– Free throws to knock out the Clippers. Despite Tim Hardaway Jr.’s hot streak, Los Angeles tried to claw back to within ten points. However, three free throws by Tim Hardaway Jr. put the Californians ahead. More broadly, the visitors couldn’t contain Denver’s foul-free offense and allowed David Adelman’s men to shoot 32-for-26 free throws.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.