Nikola Jokic recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double and a league-best nineteenth of the season on Tuesday, main the Denver Nuggets to a dominant 144-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Serbian star, who claimed a 3rd NBA Most Valuable Player award final season, once more made it look easy, scoring 27 factors with 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
He then sat out the entire fourth quarter, his thirteenth triple-double of the season achieved by means of three quarters solely.
“I feel I’m playing the best basketball of my life,” Jokic informed broadcaster TNT, though he admitted the Nuggets crew he led to the title in 2023 has work to do.
“We’re not where we’re supposed to be,” he stated. “We’re trying to find the rhythm.”
He was inspired by Tuesday’s outcome in opposition to a 76ers crew combating accidents, most notably to former MVP Joel Embiid.
Six Denver gamers scored in double figures. That included Julian Strawther’s 23 factors off the bench, and 19 factors from Aaron Gordon.
“Tonight we took care of business,” Jokic stated.
The Los Angeles Lakers additionally received massive as LeBron James’s ninth triple-double of the season fueled a 111-88 victory over the woeful Washington Wizards.
James scored 21 factors with 10 rebounds and 13 assists and Anthony Davis scored 29 factors with 16 rebounds because the Lakers hammered the league’s worst crew.
James, who turned 40 on Dec. 30, grew to become simply the second participant 40 or older to submit a triple-double, after Karl Malone in 2003.
Knicks dangle on
The New York Knicks held off the Nets in Brooklyn, surrendering a 10-point fourth-quarter lead earlier than pulling away late to win the cross-town conflict 99-95.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 factors and pulled down 16 rebounds.
OG Anunoby added 20 factors and Jalen Brunson struggled early however scored eight of his 17 factors with lower than three minutes to play to assist the Knicks escape.
The Knicks led 75-85 with 10:10 left within the fourth quarter however the Nets – led by 23 factors from D’Angelo Russell – had grabbed a 90-89 lead with 2:35 remaining.
Brunson’s pullup shot restored the Knicks’ lead. He adopted with a layup and a jumper earlier than Anunoby threw down a dunk, Brunson lastly capping the scoring with a pair of free throws.
“We know how special he is,” Towns stated of Brunson. “He lives for those moments.”
The Toronto Raptors dug themselves out of an early 21-point gap to beat the visiting Orlando Magic 109-93.
RJ Barrett scored 19 factors and Scottie Barnes added 17 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Raptors, who outscored the Magic 40-20 within the third quarter to take management.
Paolo Banchero scored 26 factors and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Magic, who slumped to a fourth straight defeat.
The Portland Trail Blazers dispatched the Heat 116-107 in Miami. Anfernee Simons scored 24 factors and Deandre Ayton added 22 factors and 15 rebounds for the high-energy Trail Blazers, who had seven gamers rating in double figures.
With Miami’s high scorer Tyler Herro sidelined by groin tightness, Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 22 factors. Rookie Kel’el Ware made his first profession begin and added 20 factors and 15 rebounds.
But the Heat – who endured a stretch of 19 straight missed three-pointers – suffered their fourth loss of their previous 5 video games.
Source: www.dailysabah.com