The Western Conference in the NBA has been labeled as "weird" by experts due to the teams that are sitting near the top early on. One of those teams is the Denver Nuggets, who continued to improve their positioning with a major road win on Monday night. Nikola Jokic finished with a triple-double of 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists in the Nuggets' 106-103 win over the Toronto Raptors. Jokic also stepped up late, sinking three free throws in the final seven seconds to seal the Nuggets' 16th win of the season. They also improved to 7-4 on the road, and are now within a half game of the Los Angeles Clippers for the top spot in the West.
Jokic's free throws broke a 103-103 tie in the fourth quarter and extended the Nuggets' win streak to six in a row. They also snapped the Raptors' streak had eight in a row and handed them just their fifth loss of the season, three of which have come at home.
Jamal Murray chipped in 21 points in Monday's win, while Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez each added 15 points on the night. They nearly needed extra time at the Scotiabank Arena, but Kyle Lowry's three-point attempt in the final seconds did not fall, sealing the Nuggets' big win. They got the victory despite losing Gary Harris to a sore right hip. He did not play after the first quarter and will undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
Kawhi Leoanrd led all scorers with 27 points, while Serge Ibaka had 15 and Pascal Siakam scored 14 in the Raptors' loss. It was their first defeat since falling on the road in overtime against the Boston Celtics on November 16th. It was their first loss on their home floor November 14th against the Detroit Pistons. They will host another big showdown with Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will visit the Orlando Magic that same night.
Jokic's free throws broke a 103-103 tie in the fourth quarter and extended the Nuggets' win streak to six in a row. They also snapped the Raptors' streak had eight in a row and handed them just their fifth loss of the season, three of which have come at home.
Jamal Murray chipped in 21 points in Monday's win, while Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez each added 15 points on the night. They nearly needed extra time at the Scotiabank Arena, but Kyle Lowry's three-point attempt in the final seconds did not fall, sealing the Nuggets' big win. They got the victory despite losing Gary Harris to a sore right hip. He did not play after the first quarter and will undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
Kawhi Leoanrd led all scorers with 27 points, while Serge Ibaka had 15 and Pascal Siakam scored 14 in the Raptors' loss. It was their first defeat since falling on the road in overtime against the Boston Celtics on November 16th. It was their first loss on their home floor November 14th against the Detroit Pistons. They will host another big showdown with Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will visit the Orlando Magic that same night.
