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Nikola Jokic scoring 50 or extra factors had by no means been sufficient for the Denver Nuggets to win. Till now.
Jokic tied the highest-scoring efficiency within the NBA this season with 55 factors, and the Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 130-116 on Wednesday night time for his or her sixth straight victory.
The Nuggets had been 0-4 in his earlier 50-point outbursts.
“It’s an excellent feeling,” the three-time NBA MVP mentioned.
He equaled Oklahoma Metropolis star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 55 in a double-overtime recreation at Indiana on Oct. 23.
Jokic has been on a roll throughout Denver’s profitable streak. He’s the primary participant in NBA historical past to common a 35-point triple-double whereas capturing 60% or higher throughout a six-game stretch.
He’s averaging 35.8 factors, 12.0 rebounds and 11.0 assists whereas capturing 73.9% from the sphere and 55.6% from 3-point vary.
Opposing defenses have thrown all the things at him in a fruitless effort to decelerate the 7-foot Serbian.
“I feel I noticed all the things,” he mentioned, “however I feel it’s arduous. We’re actually working a whole lot of performs for me, all sort of totally different performs.”
Taking part in on the second night time of a back-to-back, Jokic scored 25 of Denver’s 39 factors within the first quarter.
“I didn’t open the sport actually good,” he mentioned. “I feel I missed like two, three layups, and after that I felt good.”
Final season, Jokic performed nicely on the again finish of consecutive video games, too. His routine on 24 hours’ relaxation features a daytime nap in between consuming issues like avocado, eggs, oatmeal and toast.
“The best way he performed immediately is how he works out when nobody is watching,” coach David Adelman mentioned. “He prepares on daily basis for conditions like this.”
Jokic had eight factors within the second quarter earlier than coming again with 19 within the third, together with two private runs of six straight factors.
“The blokes, particularly within the fourth quarter, they’re giving me the ball,” he mentioned. “I simply preserve capturing it.”
Jokic sat out the fourth till coming again with about six minutes remaining. He scored three factors to finish his night time going 18 for 23 from the sphere. He missed including to his league-leading six triple-doubles with six assists. He was 5 of 6 on 3-pointers and made 14 of 16 free throws.
“He was extraordinary,” Adelson mentioned. “That’s a type of performances you gained’t overlook.”
The Nuggets led by 16 factors going into the fourth and prolonged their benefit to 22 factors early on.
Adelman mentioned there was “zero disrespect” to the Clippers in deciding to place Jokic again in.
“They began to press us and he’s considered one of our greatest ballhandlers, he’s a man that may bleed the clock, he’s the most effective gamers alive,” the coach mentioned. “It will be silly for me to not put my greatest gamers again in to ensure we win the sport.”
The Related Press
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