The dominant Serbian center scored 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in just 30 minutes, and added three blocks and won balls.
For Jokić, it was the 18th triple-double this season and even the 12th that he achieved before the fourth quarter of the game. In his career, he achieved 165 of them, which ranks him third among players in terms of the number of triple-double-digit performances. Only Oscar Robertson (181) and Russell Westbrook (202) achieved more.
The three-time NBA MVP is averaging 30.1 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.9 assists this season, which are the best combined numbers of his career. He is currently second in the standings for the MVP title. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists) from the Oklahoma City Thunder is ahead of him.
After spending most of the first half behind, which at one point amounted to 10 points, Denver took the advantage in the third quarter, which it did not let go until the end of the match. The highest he had was 24 points.
In the Nuggets’ sixth consecutive victory on the road, alongside Jokić, Christian Braun stood out with 20 points and 11 rebounds and Jamal Murray with 19 points. Wendell Carter Jr. with 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, he was the best in Orlando.
Ivica Zubac played one of the best games of the season in the city derby of Los Angeles for the Clippers’ victory over the Lakers 116:102.
In 35 minutes, he scored 21 points (9/16 field goal), while with 19 rebounds, he was by far the best derby player in that category. He also confirmed his dominance under the basket with 3 blocks. He rounded off a phenomenal match with just as many assists. Journalists and NBA fans point out that Zupac’s most significant contribution is that he overruled Anthony Davis, the center of the Lakers and one of the biggest stars of the strongest league, with this performance.
Zubac was excellent in defense and attack. He picked up as many as eight balls under the opponent’s basket after teammates missed and converted them into points.
Norman Powell was the most effective with 22 points, and James Harden scored 21 with 12 assists. Kawhi Leonard continued his good form after returning from injury with 19 points. With the Lakers, LeBron James was the best with 25 points and 11 assists. Rui Hachimura scored 19 with 7 rebounds. Davis had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Results:
Orlando – Denver 100:113
LA Clippers – LA Lakers 116:102
Miami – San Antonio 128:107
Milwaukee – Philadelphia 123:109
Oklahoma City – Brooklyn 127:101
Portland – Chicago 113:102
Sacramento – Washington 123:100
(Vijesti.ba)
