DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, Christian Braun scored 17 and the Denver Nuggets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-103 Monday evening.
Jokic, who exited with 27 seconds left in the third quarter and Denver leading by 21, finished two assists short of his 23rd triple-double this season.
“I think his mindset is he’s going to play this game, but he’s also going to like try to help some of these other guys that maybe don’t get regular minutes and make sure that we get the most out of everyone’s minutes,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “He makes everyone better. That’s why he’s a really great player.
Lamar Stevens tied a season high with 19 points for the Grizzlies. Scotty Pippen Jr. added 17.
In the last two games between the teams, both in Denver, the Nuggets won by a total of 62 points.
“We’re trying to get the 1 seed the same way – understanding the importance of each game and how important the size of the 1 seed was to us last year,” Braun said. “We always approach every game the same way. That’s what’s good about this organization. We try to win every game. Guys aren’t sitting, guys aren’t throwing plays. We are going here to win every game. We play the right way no matter who is on the field.
Even without injured starters Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) and Aaron Gordon (fascia strain), Denver shot 53.3% from the field and 46.9% from 3-point range. The Nuggets improved to 15-2 since the All-Star break.
Reggie Jackson added 15 points and eight assists for Denver. Peyton Watson came off the bench to finish with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Nuggets came out strong, taking a 16-6 advantage with 4:20 left in the game and extending their lead to 18 in the first quarter. In the first half, Jokic had 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.
After trailing by 25 at halftime, Memphis cut its deficit to 15 with 5:48 left in the third quarter. But after a quick timeout from Malone, the Nuggets went on a 14-2 run to destroy any realistic hope of a comeback.
“Tonight we had a break with them with so many guys out, but we took advantage of it,” Malone said. “We didn’t spoil the game.”
The Nuggets, reigning NBA champions, occupy first place in the Western Conference, one game ahead of idle Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, fell to 24-48 during a trying season in which they were without their franchise player and guard. Jacques Morantfor all but nine games and their big off-season addition, Smart Marcussince January 9.
“Obviously we’ve fallen off quite a bit throughout this season, but the spirit of this group has been great,” coach Taylor Jenkins said. “I’m just looking into it. What are the opportunities for us as coaches to improve as well as for the players individually and collectively? The dialogue has been great about what we can build on for the rest of the season and for next year.
FOLLOWING
Nuggets: Host it Phoenix Suns Wednesday.
Grizzlies: organize it the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday.
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