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DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 36 points for his 13th triple-double of the season, offsetting Damien Lillard’s 44-point performance. 113 on a Tuesday night.
Jokic, who was 13 of 14 from the floor, finished with 12 rebounds and 10 assists. The Nuggets improved to 13-0 this season with his two-time NBA MVP triple-double.
The Nuggets were without head coach Michael Malone, who missed the game after entering the league’s health and safety protocol. Acting coach David Adelman stepped in, and the Western Conference-leading Nuggets didn’t miss a beat.
It was a game that at times turned into Jokic vs. Lillard Shaw.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 23 points and Jamal Murray added 17 points for Denver. This improved to his 20-3 record at home as a packed out crowd braved a snowstorm that began to hit the city.
The Trail Blazers have dropped eight straight road games.
Denver led by 13 points in the fourth quarter, but the Blazers took the lead. Bruce Brown’s dunk sparked another run by the Nuggets.
This time, there was no need for a closing play from Jokic, who hit the winning 3-pointer in the last second against Orlando on Sunday.
Lillard scored 30 points in the first half. It’s not the first time he’s brought in a big half against Denver. He scored 32 points in the second half against the Nuggets on December 8.
tip in
Blazers: F Jerami Grant had 18 points and C Jusuf Nurkic had 10 rebounds. … Lillard was 14 of 14 from the free throw line.
Nuggets: F Aaron Gordon scored 11 points. …Denver closed the season with Portland as he finished the series 3–1. … It was Jokic’s 89th career triple-double.
Chauncey Billups Court
While in town, Denver native and Blazers coach Chauncey Billups attended a pep rally at his old high school. George Washington, a basketball court was named in his honor. His daughter also accompanied him to the event.
“Of course I have great memories,” Billups said. “This is where it all started. I decided to take this basketball very seriously and see where it took me. It was fun to be back there. See the court. , look at the coat named after me, look at the logo on the coat.It was cool.”
next
Blazers: Start a six-game homestand against Philadelphia on Thursday.
The Nuggets: Host Minnesota on Wednesday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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