The MVP race will be exciting until the end if, evening after evening, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic push the limits of excellence. The day after SGA’s career record (54 points), the triple MVP responded with a 5th triple-double in a row. And what a triple-double! 35 points, 22 rebounds and 17 assists !!! Faced with him, however, there was Sabonis Domantas.
After their victory from the day before to the snatch against the Warriors, the Kings were clearly tired, and the nuggets were led to the score that the space of 40 seconds. It was in the middle of the first quarter, at the end of time, after a basket halfway of Domantas Sabonis (19-17). Then, the two coaches will open their benches, and Jokic will distribute the game wonderfully, whether it is to find Russell Westbrook 3-point or send Peyton Watson to the Dunk. Result, the nuggets take 11 points ahead (40-29), and Jokic is already very close to the triple-double: 9 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
As Jamal Murray is also getting there, and Peyton Watson against everything that approaches the circle, things get even more complicated for the Kings (52-38). The legs are heavy in Sacramento, like this coastt-to-coast of Murray which goes quietly to the lay-up (66-48). Christian Braun imitates him with a big dunk on counterattack. The Kings on the street, and at the break, the Nuggets lead 22 points (74-52).
The furious Kings Comeback
On the return 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 company, and on a simple pass-and-VA with Michael Porter Jr, he already validates his triple-double (91-73). Better still, it completes the quarter on a buzzer basket at 20 meters !!! On the Kings bench, players are both disappointed and amazed.
With 25 points ahead, the nuggets can see coming, and the problem is that they will stop playing! Faced with the Kings Version Doug Christie, it’s dangerous and in four minutes, Sacramento replacements will sign a 14-0 to return to -11 (110-99).
-Mike Malone has no choice but to put Jokic into play. But the dynamics are clearly on the side of the Kings, and Doug McDermott plants a 3-point to go under the 10-point mark (122-113). Three minutes from the end, the Ball Arena is starting to tremble. Especially since McDermott is unleashed, and there are only five points apart at 48 seconds from the end. But Jokic reassures his fans with his free throws, and Denver won 132-123.
What to remember
– Jokic, Jokic, Jokic… That writing more about Nikola Jokic, who signs his 5th triple-double in a row, and this is one of the biggest performances of his career with 35 points, 22 rebounds and 17 assists. It was 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 tries the most shots on his own camp, and it is the first time that he has managed one. According to statisticians from the League, he was 20 meters away when the ball left his hands.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
