Nuggets Dominate Trail Blazers 120-108 with Jokic’s Triple-Double

The Denver Nuggets kicked off the weekend on a high note with a convincing 120-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. The win improved Denver’s season record to 34-16, with an impressive 20-4 home record at Ball Arena, ranking second only to the Boston Celtics in home winning percentage.

Nikola Jokić, the centerpiece of Denver’s performance, showcased his brilliance with a triple-double, tallying 27 points, 22 rebounds (a season-high), and 11 assists. Jokić’s efficiency left head coach Michael Malone in awe, praising the center’s contributions and expressing gratitude for having him on the team.

Aaron Gordon contributed significantly with 18 points, shooting 7-of-9 from the field, along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16 points and made a crucial defensive stop on Anfernee Simons, despite dislocating his pinky finger in the process. Caldwell-Pope, driven by his aspirations to be named First-Team All-Defense, emphasized his dedication to showcasing his defensive prowess on the court.

Peyton Watson made a notable impact off the bench, scoring 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, with 10 of those points coming in the crucial fourth quarter. Malone commended Watson’s commitment to improvement, highlighting the rookie’s dedication to countless practice court repetitions.

Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. made franchise history during the game. Murray surpassed Ralph Simpson for the ninth-most assists in Nuggets history, reaching a total of 1,952 in his career. Porter Jr. tied Gary Harris for sixth place in three-pointers made in Nuggets history, reaching a milestone of 565 career three-pointers.

Despite a strong performance from Trail Blazers’ rookie Scoot Henderson, who scored 30 points off the bench, and a notable contribution from Simons with 29 points, the Nuggets maintained control. Denver outperformed Portland in multiple aspects, shooting 50.5% from the field, dominating the painted area with a 60-50 advantage, and winning the rebound battle 48-37. The Nuggets also recorded an impressive 34 assists compared to Portland’s 14.

Denver established an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a 33-20 advantage. Although the Trail Blazers mounted a comeback in the second quarter, the Nuggets headed into halftime with a 59-55 lead. Anfernee Simons led a charge for Portland in the third quarter, but Gordon and Jokić kept the Nuggets ahead, setting the stage for Watson’s fourth-quarter outburst. Jokić’s pivotal plays in the closing moments secured Denver’s victory and showcased their determination to stay in contention.