The Denver Nuggets are on the rise. They gained their third straight sport Wednesday evening to ring within the new 12 months. The Atlanta Hawks stored tempo with the Nuggets for a half, however an enormous third quarter left little question who gained. Nikola Jokic will get one more triple double and 7 Nuggets rating in double figures in a sport that ended up being an entire snigger. Denver wins massive 139-120.
Jokic led the offense to begin the sport, first mitigating Michael Porter Jr. after which getting an and-one. Atlanta stored tempo by flattening three objectives, however Denver scored simply. They went 7-0 however then stalled. Atlanta pulled inside Trae Younger and trailed by a subject aim halfway by means of the quarter. Jokic had Denver’s offense buzzing. With the bench, together with Jalen Pickett, recording, the Nuggets held a small lead. Julian Strawther acquired a number of buckets, however Atlanta was capable of rating factors as properly, so Denver could not draw back. Jokic continued to dominate and led a robust shut out of the quarter. After one, Denver led 40-33.
See you, P-Wat! pic.twitter.com/aRrAGHc0ZG
-Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 2, 2025
The Nuggets’ bench group stored the scoring going, but additionally did not play a ton of protection, resulting in a quick and excessive begin to the second quarter. The Hawks started scoring three factors (together with a four-point play) and Denver’s lead was dwindling. DeAndre Jordan turned in a stable shift and supplied paint assault when the Nuggets wanted a bucket, however the Hawks continued to knock away outdoors pictures. De’Andre Hunter led a run for Atlanta they usually lastly took the lead after six minutes. Each groups then accomplished mini-races. Jokic was again and issues began to click on once more for the Nuggets. The sport remained shut and quick all through, Joker practically had a triple-double within the first half and Denver went into the locker room with a 74-71 lead.
Clear-fake pump 👀 pic.twitter.com/gywfSypTbj
-Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 2, 2025
The second half opened in a lot the identical manner as the primary half. Each groups piled up the factors however the Nuggets had just a little extra firepower, with Younger being the one one producing for the Hawks. Denver lastly began to deal with protection and took a lead. Porter and Christian Braun led the offense and halfway by means of the quarter, Denver was up double digits. The Nuggets continued to push, Atlanta began to look disinterested and it appeared just like the highway was open. Denver pushed the result in twenty with a couple of minutes left within the third and stored operating. Peyton Watson completed a Braun lob with a reverse jam to blow Ball Area’s lead and the Hawks continued to accept bounce pictures. Denver ended up outscoring the Hawks by seventeen within the quarter and headed into the fourth main 115-95.
HIGH-FLYING WATSON pic.twitter.com/MjBv3oKDtQ
-Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 2, 2025
Murray led the bench to open the fourth. Atlanta stored Denver from increasing the lead, however the Nuggets nonetheless discovered sufficient offense to maintain their benefit above twenty. The assaults started to decelerate, with the sport feeling prefer it was already in hand. Each groups made quite a lot of bounce pictures with out a lot motion. The Hawks knocked down a number of threes however appeared resigned to chalking this one as much as a loss. With Denver nonetheless main twenty minutes and fewer than 4 minutes to play, the groups emptied their benches. Not a lot to notice aside from Pickett continued to place in high quality minutes. The deep bench closed it out and Denver eliminates the Hawks once more. Closing rating 139-120.
Seven gamers with double-digit factors 📊
Nikola: 23 PTS / 17 REB / 15 AST
Jamal: 21 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST
MPJ: 21 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST
Russian: 16 PTS / 2 REB / 11 AST
CB: 15 PTS / 3 REB / 4 AST
Julien: 13 PTS / 6 REB / 2 AST
P-Wat: 11 PTS / 1 AST / 2 STL pic.twitter.com/FJrFW9wAp5-Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 2, 2025
