The Nuggets went 5 of 5 in Sacramento

Deja beaten in Denver A few days ago, the Kings hosted the Nuggets to try to avoid a third straight loss. If Sacramento opens the scoring over Domantas Sabonis (19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 fouls), the visitors took their first lead thanks to a 9-0 run that allowed them to take a 15-8 lead. However, the Kings did not let themselves fall behind and went 8-0 in the process Nickue Clifford etc Malik Monk to regain the advantage (33-31).

In the second act, the teams trade baskets, but one player dominates the debate: Nikola Jokic. The Serbian walked on water in this first period and returned to the locker room with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Triple MVP scored two baskets in a row whileAaron Gordon take advantage of the mistake Zach LaVine on a 3-point shot to score three free throws. After them, Denver leads 60 to 56 after 24 minutes of play.

Nikola Jokić let the horses go

After the break, Domantas Sabonis commits his fourth foul and replaces him Drew Eubanks (19 points, 7 rebounds). If the Lithuanian substitute had an almost perfect match in attack like his 8/9 shooting, Nikola Jokić gave him a hard time in defense. The star of the Nuggets scores several baskets, but the Kings can count on the contribution of their bench to stay in the match and have only three points behind before the start of the last act (85-82).

Since the beginning of this fourth quarter, Denver has been pulling away while “The Joker” is on the bench thanks to a 9-0 run from long range. Jamal Murray (23 points, 8 assists). Si DeMar DeRozan ended this “streak”, the Nuggets continue to make baskets to get a 15-point advantage (101-86). When Nikola Jokić returned to the floor, he scored 2+1 for Domantas Sabonis who committed his sixth foul of the game, which is synonymous with expulsion. At the same time, Drew Eubanks missed his first shot of the evening, and then Nikola Jokic hit a 3-pointer with a minute to go and definitely sealed the fate of this match.

So the Nuggets won 122-108 and had their fifth straight win before going into the challenge a struggling Clippers team early in the season.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Nikola Jokić close to perfection. After Isaiah Hartenstein a few days agoit’s Nikola Jokić’s turn to feast in Sacramento’s racket. Whether against Domantas Sabonis or Drew Eubanks, the Serbian was unstoppable. He missed only one shot in the first half, while he missed only two in the second half. “Joker” finished the evening with 35 points on 16/19 shooting, 15 rebounds and 7 assists in 33 minutes of play.

A pass of five for the Nuggets. The Nuggets beat the Kings on Nov. 3 and have not lost since, winning five straight. If Nikola Jokić was unsustainable, he was not the only one who shone. Behind him, Jamal Murray responded with 23 points and 8 assists Bruce Brown which appeared in the last act. The former Pacers and Raptors player scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a layup after an interception to give his team a 15-point lead. A delay the Kings were never able to make up for.

The Kings bench is dominant, but not a winning one. If Bruce Brown stood out from Denver’s bench, overall, Sacramento’s “second unit” was more efficient, scoring 53 of the Kings’ 108 points with the lead Russell Westbrook close to a triple-double with 14 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds. He was accompanied by Drew Eubanks, the author of 19 points and 7 rebounds on 8/9 shooting, who managed to take advantage of Domantas Sabonis in the attack, but could not stop Nikola Jokić in the defense.

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.