Nikola Jokic’s Fiftieth double-double leads Nuggets in rout

Nikola Jokic posted his 50th double-double of the season whereas Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 aspects because the Denver Nuggets rolled to a 128-99 avenue have interaction over the Houston Rockets on Friday.

Jokic carried out with 29 aspects and 16 rebounds whereas adding seven assists and two steals to inch the Nuggets, victorious in two video games since guard Jamal Murray changed into misplaced to a season-ending left ACL hurt. Jokic carried out 10-for-12 from the floor to inch a Denver offense that shot 49.5 p.c total.

Porter chipped in 4-for-7 3-level shooting plus five rebounds and changed into vital to the Nuggets’ rapidly delivery up. He drained two 3s all thru a 14-2 dawdle that gave Denver its first double-digit lead at 18-7 early within the major quarter. The closing margin represented the supreme lead for the Nuggets.

The Rockets, losers of five in a row and 10 of 11, tried to hang tough. Jae’Sean Tate loved a breakout opening interval with 11 aspects, five rebounds and three assists and nailed consecutive 3s alongside with Avery Bradley that pulled Houston to within 27-23.

But Denver stretched its lead to 35-28 by the end of the interval and reclaimed a double-digit edge within the 2d thanks in fragment to archaic ahead Paul Millsap, who started 4-for-4 and grabbed four boards early off the bench.

The Nuggets adopted a 3-pointer from Rockets ahead Kelly Olynyk with a 9-2 dawdle that capped the major half of, capitalizing on two unhurried turnovers by Houston guard John Wall to agree with a 69-49 halftime lead.

The Nuggets shot a strong 55.3 p.c sooner than the intermission despite missing 13 of 17 from 3-level range. Denver converted 10 first-half of Rockets turnovers, seven from Wall, into 14 aspects.

Houston clawed to within 73-59 early within the third quarter sooner than Jokic took over, scoring 12 aspects within the interval to snuff the Rockets as soon as and for all.

Millsap carried out with 11 aspects and 10 boards as three Nuggets reserves scored in double figures, including Jeff Green with 13 and P.J. Dozier with 11. Will Barton added 12 for the Nuggets.

Olynyk led the Rockets with 23 aspects whereas Tate added 21 on 9-of-13 shooting.

–Self-discipline Stage Media