The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 109-98, at Pepsi Center on Friday evening.
The Nuggets got out to a solid start at home as they outscored the visitors, 39-32, through the first quarter. The game tightened up in the second, but the Nuggets were able to keep the edge, as they took a 60-52 lead into halftime. The Thunder came out strong in the third and made it a one-point game halfway through the quarter, but the Nuggets bounced back to reclaim a six-point lead by the end of the quarter. The Nuggets pushed their lead to 11 in the fourth, but the Thunder cut it back down to three with 3:20 remaining. However, the Nuggets closed the contest on a 10-2 run, to secure their second straight win, and hand the Thunder their second straight loss.
Nikola Jokic had a monster night for the Nuggets, with 24 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and three steals, in 35 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 19 points, nine assists and one rebound, while Juancho Hernangomez added 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 33 minutes. The Nuggets shot 50 percent from the field, including 11-of-34 from long range.
Meanwhile, Paul George was the high-point man for the Thunder, with 32 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal, in 39 minutes. Russell Westbrook tallied 13 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal, while Steven Adams finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.
The Thunder (17-10) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Clippers on Saturday. The Nuggets (19-9) play host to the Raptors on Sunday.
