The Nuggets are one game away from a six-game win streak and a perfect 4-0 road trip after Wednesday’s win over the Clippers.
Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 130-116 win at the Intuit Dome.
1. Nikola Jokic, that’s the takeaway. The three-time Most Valuable Player bolstered his case for a fourth MVP award by following his 35-point, 15-rebound, seven-assist performance against the Kings on Tuesday by dropping 55 points. He made 18 of 23 shots, including a 5-for-6 mark from 3-point range. He also added 12 rebounds and six assists. The back-to-back wasn’t great for the triple-double mark, but it still helped his case for a fourth MVP award.
2. Jokic’s performance through three quarters was enough to get himself and others some starters some rest. Cam Johnson and Christian Braun didn’t play after halftime with different injuries, but no member of the Nuggets played more than 34 minutes on the second night of the back-to-back. The end of Denver’s bench closed out the rest of the game after Denver led by as many as 22 points.
3. Without Braun and Johnson after halftime, Tim Hardaway Jr. continued to show why he’s been the most valuable offseason addition through 11 games. Hardaway hit three more 3s, all three of his free throws and finished with 12 points, three assists and a rebound. The Nuggets won the 21 minutes Hardaway played by 24 points. His plus-minus was second to only Jokic and Aaron Gordon.
NUGGETS 130, CLIPPERS 116
What happened: Denver led by four to start the second quarter but trailed 68-63 at halftime. The Nuggets regained a 16-point lead to start the third quarter and improved to 9-2 on the season.
What went right: Nikola Jokic set a career high for points in a quarter with 25 in the first 12 minutes. He made 8 of 12 shots from the field.
What went wrong: Cam Johnson and Christian Braun left the game with injuries in the first half. Braun appeared to injure his left ankle, while Johnson hurt his right arm. Neither returned to the game after halftime.
Highlight of the night: Jamal Murray put Ivica Zubac in a blender early in the third quarter. After creating a switch that forced the Clippers’ center onto Murray, Denver’s point guard hit Zubac with a series of crossovers before stepping back to the 3-point line where he gave the Nuggets a 22-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
Up next: The Nuggets conclude their four-game road trip Saturday in Minnesota.