The Nuggets have been adept at finding ways to win games lately, but they haven’t played a lot of winning basketball.
They submitted a much more convincing sample of evidence Monday night with a 117-90 rout of the Phoenix Suns. Possessing a rare halftime lead, albeit a narrow one of 55-51, Denver improved to 5-0 in the second game of back-to-backs this season by pulling away in a 45-28 third quarter at Ball Arena.
Phoenix’s 90 points were the fewest the Nuggets (16-11) have allowed this season.
“I thought that was one of our best defensive efforts from beginning to end,” coach Michael Malone said.
Twenty-four hours earlier, they needed overtime to escape New Orleans with a victory that wasn’t particularly awe-inspiring. Jamal Murray walked away with 27 encouraging points and a sprained right ankle to halt his momentum. He was ruled out on Monday without going through a warm-up routine, though a return on Christmas day in Phoenix is possible.
“On the flight back, (we were) hoping that it would improve, and the swelling would go down,” Malone said. “(The ankle) received treatment all night, this morning, but obviously just didn’t respond how we had hoped.”
That meant an assertive Michael Porter Jr. was mandatory back home. He had been quiet on the road, averaging just 11.7 points on the three-game trip. He had 14 by the end of the first quarter against Phoenix, shooting 6 for 7 with his only miss occurring when he was handed the ball at the end of the shot clock. He continued to impose himself during a productive stint with the second unit, despite a drop in scoring. His most impressive moment of the night might’ve been a blow-by past Ryan Dunn — not a shabby defender — setting up an assist to DeAndre Jordan in the paint.
Porter finished with 24 points on 12 shots, plus six rebounds and four assists. He and Jokic combined for a 22-for-29 shooting night, as Jokic led all scorers with 32. His 3-point percentage this season is back up to a league-leading 51.4% after a 4-for-6 performance.
“Michael and Nikola carried us in that first half,” Malone said. “And then I think a lot of guys helped out in that second half.”
In an alarming image only because it’s so rare, Jokic held his left ankle and winced during the second quarter after taking a hard fall while getting fouled by former teammate Jusuf Nurkic. But he was able to rise to his feet, knock down the free throws and resume playing. It was Nurkic’s third foul. He had four by halftime thanks to an illegal screen that he unsuccessfully lobbied his bench to challenge.
With Murray absent, Jalen Pickett also took advantage of an opportunity to back up Russell Westbrook, going for 11 points and eight assists. His poise and two-way energy helped extend the lead in the second quarter. He contributed a stellar block against a center and drained a turn-around 3-pointer in the corner to cause the Nuggets’ bench to erupt in garbage time. They had plenty to celebrate. Jokic and company had received an early Christmas gift from their bench: the luxury of resting in the fourth quarter while Hunter Tyson threw down thunderous dunks.
Denver was plus-eight when Jokic was on the bench.
“Just trying to keep the lead or whatever it is in the non-Nikola minutes,” Pickett said. “Just trying to hold it, so it’s not so much stress on the starters. We felt like they got worn down last year, so we’re just trying to take a little bit of a load off of them this year.”
The Nuggets have won five of their last six as they prepare to fly to Phoenix on Tuesday for a late-night rematch slated for Christmas day.
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