Jokic, Nuggets bully Bucks for big win

Denver center notches 50th triple-double of his career

Who says Nikola Jokic can’t defy gravity?

Mad about his NBA dunk contest snub, Jokic’s aerial assault continued Tuesday night in Milwaukee as the Nuggets soared past the Bucks 128-97. On the second night of a back-to-back, against one of the Eastern Conference’s elite outfits, the Nuggets ran the Bucks right off the court. Denver’s third consecutive win snapped Milwaukee’s winning streak at five, improving their overall record to 20-15.

Denver can close the first half of the season on a fourgame winning streak when they take on the Pacers on Thursday.

But Tuesday was about their approach. Jokic elevated for three dunks – including two on fastbreaks – as the Nuggets forgot their fatigue following Monday’s win in Chicago. Jokic finished with the 50th triple-double of his career, notching 37 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Jamal Murray added 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting. It was his 11th consecutive game of at least 20 points. Will Barton registered 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists, continuing his strong histor y against the Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounkpo and Khris Middleton combined for 47, but didn’t have the suppor ting cast.

The Nuggets sur vived a momentar y injur y scare, but escaped from the third quarter unscathed. Murray briefly left the game for what appeared to be a hamstring injur y, though quickly returned from what turned out to be a cramp. In the meantime, Denver blistered from 3-point range.

Por ter, Bar ton, PJ Dozier and Jokic (twice) all connected from outside in the third quarter to maintain a healthy 99-80 going into

the four th. Jokic had 14 in the period alone, including a thundering twohanded dunk for the second night in arow.

And given Denver’s laundr y list of injuries, they needed – and got – contributions across the board. There was no better example than Vlatko Cancar, whose hustle, energy and physicality made a significant impact on the game.

Across Denver’s last few games, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he’d made a concerted effort to keep Jokic, Murray and Porter on the cour t together. And though the trio had been productive, Malone conceded it was also about building for the future.

“It’s not just for today, it’s for tomorrow as well,” Malone said. “We know what we have in Nikola, we know what we have in Jamal, and I think we’re all starting to see what we have with Michael Por ter.”

Without injured forwards Paul Millsap and Jamychal Green, Malone put a team-wide emphasis on gang rebounding. In their last five games entering Tuesday, Milwaukee was the NBA’S best rebounding squad.

“It’s all those little things,” Malone said. “The ability to clean the glass and win the second-chance opportunities. … They don’t need any extra possessions off offensive rebounds or off our turnovers.”

Given the circumstances, what Denver did to open Tuesday’s game marked their most impressive first half of the season. Jokic played facilitator, racking up 13 points and nine assists over the first two quarters as the Nuggets built a 64-50 lead.

Unlike during Monday night’s takeover in Chicago, Jokic had help. Murray led Denver with 18 points, bullying smaller defenders in the post and playing with an aggressive, attacking demeanor. Bar ton chipped in 11 in the first half as well.

Despite Milwaukee’s length, the Nuggets dominated the interior.

They owned a 32-20 advantage on points in the paint heading into the break.