Nikola Jokic had 40 points, eight assists and seven returns when the host Denver Nuggets beat Portland Trail Blazers 146-117 on Monday for his seventh straight victory.
Denver’s Christian Braun finished with 26 points, Julian Statther scored 18 points and Jamal Murray had 17 points and eight assists before being thrown out early in the fourth quarter. Jalen Pickett added 14 points and Zeke Nnaji chipped in 11 for Nuggets, who was without Russell Westbrook (Hamstring), Peyton Watson (Knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (Hoarding).
Rookie Donovan Clingan scored a career pile of 21 points, Dalano Banton contributed 22 and Affernee Simons published 17 for Portland. Blazers has lost two straight matches after winning 10 of their previous 11.
Portland was also short, Jerami missed (knee), Kris Murray (Quad) and Robert Williams III (knee).
Blazers dragged 15 at the break but quickly cut in the deficit with a 9-2 driving to open the third quarter. They came within 72-64 after Denver coach Michael Malone and Jamal Murray were hit by technical fouls.
Nuggets led 94-78 later during the period after Jokic and Jamal Murray took control. Jokic met a layout and helped on one for Jamal Murray, who hit a free throw to complete a three -point game. Jokic then made a running hook and added a three -point game of his own who pressed. Denver leads to 99-80 with 3:39 left in the third.
Jokic finished his night with a jumper on the 2:14 mark and another hook shot that gave the nugs an advantage of 112-89 at the last minute of the period.
Denver the lead grew to as many as 32 in the fourth.
Nuggets led by 17, 36-19, with just over a minute left during the first quarter, but Portland closed the frame with an 8-2 driving.
Jokic closed the score for the first half with a arrangement, giving Denver a pillow of 70-55 at the break.
-Field level media
