Nikola Jokic had 30 factors, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Denver Nuggets received their eighth consecutive residence sport by beating the Boston Celtics 123-111 on Sunday night time.
Jokic made 10 of his 13 subject aim makes an attempt and was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. It was his ninth triple-double of the season.
Denver shot 57 p.c from the sector (45-for-79) and improved its residence report to 14-3. The three residence losses got here by a complete of six factors. The Nuggets additionally ended a six-game dropping streak towards the Celtics.
Jaylen Brown (30 factors) and Jayson Tatum (25) led the Boston offense. The Celtics, who entered the competition with a four-game profitable streak, fell to 11-6 on the street.
The Nuggets had been 17 of 30 from behind the 3-point arc. The Celtics had been 9 of 33.
Denver performed with out beginning guard Jamal Murray (damage administration). Bruce Brown changed Murray within the beginning lineup and completed with 21 factors. He made 4 of his six 3-point makes an attempt. Murray is averaging 31.8 minutes and 18.2 factors per sport this season.
Michael Porter Jr. (19 factors), Aaron Gordon (18) and Bones Hyland (17) additionally scored in double figures for Denver, which led by as many as 18 factors within the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets led 37-28 after one quarter and 62-54 at halftime. Denver’s first-half lead peaked at 15 factors within the second quarter.
Jokic led all scorers within the first half with 20 factors. The Celtics had been 3 of 14 on 3-point makes an attempt within the first quarter, and three of 19 within the half.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla returned after lacking two video games with an eye fixed damage. Guard Malcolm Brogdon and middle Blake Griffin, who had been unavailable for Thursday’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on account of sicknesses, had been out there on Sunday. Brogdon scored 4 factors with 4 assists in in 20 minutes, and Griffin didn’t play.
It was the second assembly between the groups this season. Boston beat Denver 131-112 on Nov. 11 in Boston.
The sport was delayed for practically 40 minutes to regulate one of many baskets following a Robert Williams dunk halfway by the fourth quarter.
