In a playoff atmosphere, the Nuggets end up coming out on top against the Rockets

Clearly, crossing paths with Houston is not good news for the Nuggets front office. During the first duelColorado players lost Aaron Gordon in the first moments. Lo and behold, Peyton Watson is quickly joining the locker room. For its part, Alperen Sengun dominates in the first quarter (24-30). Thanks to Jonas Valanciunas and the substitutions, the Nuggets are back in the game. They even finished the first part excellently, with 13-2 (58-51).

The third quarter seems to belong to Kevin Durant, who shows his advantage, and Houston. But once again, David Adelman’s troops eventually rallied to hold the lead before the final quarter (89-86). Then the tension between the two teams grows, and Durant commits a technical foul after a small skirmish with Nikola Jokic. He sanctifies himself by opposing the Serb in the process. The defense becomes much tighter and the three-time MVP dominates physically or from 3-point range.

The final seconds are lively with a streak of four game-winning baskets in a row. Finally, Alperen Sengun gave the go-ahead with two seconds left, before the Rockets were fouled before the throw-in. Result: two free throws, plus the ball for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray gets the job done at the line, but Jokic misses from behind the arc. Let’s go to overtime (117-117). The 2023 champs are off to a 7-0 start, and even going out for six wildcard fouls doesn’t take away from Denver’s success, as Sengun completely missed the game-tying 3-pointer (128-125).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Duel Nikola Jokić – Alperen Sengun. The two men argued a lot. There were punches, physical confrontations between the two. Huge, they carried their team: the Serb with 39 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists; Turk with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Houston’s pivot was not far from being the hero of the match with his basket at the end of overtime and then the game-tying ball at the end of overtime. But just like in November, the three-time MVP had the last word.

– Fifth win in a row for Denver. Imperials awayThe Nuggets have to confirm at home this week. It’s off to a good start with this important win in the shock of the Western Conference, allowing us to make it five in a row. It is also the first on the home field after four defeats in a row at the Bal Arena.

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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.