The race for MVP will be exciting until the end if, night after night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic push the boundaries of excellence. The day after SGA’s career high (54 points), the three-time MVP responded with a 5th triple-double in a row. And what a triple-double! 35 points, 22 rebounds and 17 assists!!! Opposite him, however, was Domantas Sabonis.
After their close victory the day before against the Warriors, the Kings were clearly tired, and the Nuggets only trailed for 40 seconds. It was in the middle of the first quarter, coming out of timeout, after a mid-range basket from Domantas Sabonis (19-17). Then, the two coaches will open their benches, and Jokic will distribute the game wonderfully, whether it is finding Russell Westbrook at 3-points or sending Peyton Watson to dunk. As a result, the Nuggets take an 11-point lead (40-29), and Jokic is already very close to the triple-double: 9 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
As Jamal Murray also gets involved, and Peyton Watson counters everything that approaches the circle, things get even more complicated for the Kings (52-38). The legs are heavy in Sacramento, like this coast-to-coast from Murray who calmly goes for the lay-up (66-48). Christian Braun imitates him with a big dunk on the counterattack. The Kings are on the street, and at the break, the Nuggets lead by 22 points (74-52).
The furious comeback of the Kings
Returning from the locker room, there is a semblance of revolt with a 7-0 signed by the DeRozan-Murray-Sabonis trio to return to -15. But Jokic continues his demolition business, and on a simple pass and go with Michael Porter Jr, he already validates his triple-double (91-73). Better, he ends the quarter with a basket at the buzzer from 20 meters away!!! On the Kings bench, the players are both disappointed and amazed.
With a 25-point lead, the Nuggets can see it coming, and the problem is that they will completely stop playing! Facing the Kings version of Doug Christie, it’s dangerous and in four minutes, the Sacramento substitutes will sign a 14-0 to return to -11 (110-99).
-Mike Malone has no choice but to put Jokic back in the game. But the momentum is clearly on the side of the Kings, and Doug McDermott plants a 3-pointer to go below 10 points (122-113). Three minutes from the end, the Ball Arena begins to shake. Especially since McDermott is unleashed, and there are only five points difference with 48 seconds to go. But Jokic reassures his fans with his free throws, and Denver wins 132-123.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Jokic, Jokic, Jokic… What more can we write about Nikola Jokic, who signs his 5th triple-double in a row, and it is one of the biggest performances of his career with 35 points, 22 rebounds and 17 assists. It’s his 20th of the season, and for the 14th time, he had already completed it after three quarters.
– A real bomb! Nikola Jokic is the player who attempts the most shots in his own half, and this is the first time he has made one. According to league statisticians, he was 20 yards away when the ball left his hands.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
