Nuggets top OKC
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Michael Porter Jr. scored a careerhigh 37 points and Nikola Jokic had a triple-double to help the Denver Nuggets top the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-113 in overtime on Monday.
Porter, who averages just 7.5 points, had the big performance in only his third start of the season.
"He has got tremendous size, length, he can score the ball, he's got soft touch and he does so (scores) in a very efficient manner," Denver coach Michael Malone said. "He can also rebound at a very high level. Tonight, we saw all those things put together."
Porter made 12 of 16 shots and grabbed 12 rebounds. His previous career high was 25 points.
"All I've got to focus on is bringing the energy and the effort, lock in on defense and the rest will take care of itself," Porter said.
Jokic had 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to help Denver strengthen its hold on third place in the Western Conference standings.
It was a key win for the Nuggets, who were missing three starters. Jamal Murray sat out with left hamstring tightness, forward Will
Barton sat out with left knee soreness and guard Gary Harris sat out with a strained right hip.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points, Chris Paul had 23 and Danilo Gallinari added 20 for the Thunder, who also were short-handed. Thunder coach Billy Donovan said Dennis Schroder, Oklahoma City's No. 3 scorer for the season, left the bubble to join his wife for the birth of their second child.