Jokic’s triple-double paces Nuggets past Cavs

Nikola Jokic began his final push for a possible third straight MVP by getting yet another triple-double.

This season, that means another Denver win.

Jokic had 24 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists for his NBA-leading 22nd triple-double and Michael Porter Jr. scored 25, leading the Nuggets to a 115109 victory over the Cavaliers on Feb. 23.

Jokic’s 13th triple-double in 16 games helped the Western Conference-leading Nuggets come out of the All-Star break with an impressive road win over the Cavs, who dropped to 25-7 at home. The Nuggets improved to 22-0 when Jokic gets a triple-double.

“He’s the MVP,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said about his star center.

“When the MVP goes out and puts up a triple-double, it means a lot. He is a historically great player.”

There was no argument from the Cavs.

“I thought we had him contained until I looked up (at the scoreboard),” Cavs star Donovan Mitchell said. “The bigs did a good but then in the second half he was the aggressor in different ways.

“Look at what he and (Sixers star Joel) Embiid are doing on a nightly basis. It’s next level. It’s impressive and I think it’s going to come down to those two. Hell of a player.”

Evan Mobley scored 31 points, but zero in the fourth quarter for Cleveland, which had its chances down the stretch. Mitchell and Darius Garland had 22 points apiece and Jarrett Allen added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavs.

Porter made two 3-pointers and Jokic dropped another as the Nuggets went on a 13-4 run to take a 114-109 lead with 2:15 left. Cleveland then missed shots on its next three possessions — Mitchell twice misfired — allowing Denver to escape with a win in a game that had playoff intensity.

Jamal Murray returned to Denver’s lineup after missing six games due to soreness in his right knee. He had 16 points and nine assists.

Reggie Jackson, making his debut with Denver after being signed last week, ended the third quarter by making a 55-foot shot to pull the Nuggets to 91-89. Jackson was recently waived by Charlotte after being acquired from the Clippers in a trade deadline deal.