November 3rd 2024.
As the Nuggets kicked off their five-game home stand at Ball Arena on Saturday night, they were determined to secure their first regulation win of the 2024-25 season. After a tough loss the previous night, the team was ready to bounce back and show their true potential.
Nikola Jokic, who was playing his second back-to-back game of the week, was already averaging an impressive 39.2 minutes per game. But with five games into the season, he was determined to finally earn himself a fourth quarter on the bench. And he did just that, scoring 18 of his 27 points in the third quarter and leading the Nuggets to a 129-103 rout of the Utah Jazz.
Jokic's stellar performance was aided by his teammates, with Michael Porter Jr. contributing 20 points and Christian Braun adding 17 points, three assists, and two steals. The team's perimeter offense was also on point, with the Nuggets making 16 out of 32 attempts from 3-point range, including three from Julian Strawther who had a 17-point outing off the bench.
But the game was not just about the starters. As the Nuggets built up a 24-point cushion, the fourth quarter became a valuable opportunity for the struggling bench players to gain some confidence. They were able to work on their chemistry and Peyton Watson even got to see the ball go in a few times as a rim-runner. And for the first time this season, they were able to play garbage time with a lead.
The Nuggets' bench briefly provided a spark in the first half, with DeAndre Jordan making his first appearance of the season as Jokic's backup center. This was a welcome change from the struggling Dario Saric. Jordan's entrance was followed by an 8-0 run, featuring a 3-point play from Hunter Tyson and a couple of buckets from Strawther.
However, the Jazz fought back and managed to tie the game in the second quarter. But the Nuggets never felt like the game was out of their control, thanks to their strong performance and the leadership of Jokic. The starters quickly reopened a 14-point lead and never looked back.
With Jamal Murray in concussion protocol, Russell Westbrook made his first start for the Nuggets. While scoring was a struggle for the 35-year-old point guard, he made up for it with his impressive passing and defensive skills. In one particular sequence, he broke up a lob during a fast break and then drew a foul while grabbing an offensive rebound at the other end.
Despite the ups and downs of the game, the Nuggets ultimately secured their first regulation win of the season and showed their potential as a team. With strong performances from both the starters and the bench, they proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the 2024-25 season.
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