By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
In a game full of surprising twists, the Denver Nuggets bounced back from a slow start and although they were close to winning in regular time as well as in the first overtime, it took extra ten minutes in order to seal a 134-132 victory.
Jokic banked 12 points in the first overtime – including the layup to tie the game – for Denver as well as two points in the second in order to push his squad past the tenacious Utah squad led by outstanding Donovan Mitchell who was lifting his team back from dead multiple times and was the sole reason the match didn’t conclude earlier.
Best center in the league. pic.twitter.com/4Ikgih5UPx
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 8, 2020
The Serbian big man finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists while Mitchell answered on the other side with 35 points, eight assists, and six rebounds.
Jokic wasn’t alone in his efforts as Jamal Murray was there every step of the way, playing almost 40 minutes despite it being his first game back and logging 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists including a few tough step-back shots in crunch time.
JAMAL. MURRAY. IS. BACK. pic.twitter.com/Oj0ngYniyv
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 8, 2020
Michael Porter Jr scored 23 as well and Jerami Grant 21 points while for Utah, Rudy Gobert logged 22 points and 13 boards in addition to Mike Conley’s 20 points.
Early on, Utah’s squad came out on the court ‘guns blazing’ and the Nuggets couldn’t stop them. The Jazz shot 12-21 from deep in the first half which secured them a 14-point lead (63-49) at the break with Gobert being the man in charge.
Rudy in a ⓜⓞⓞⓓ pic.twitter.com/MhP9NY1nPT
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 8, 2020
Their defense was all over Nikola Jokic who, despite a slow start, managed to deal with the pressure and open up some space for Porter Jr and Murray.
Best. Passing. Big. Man. Of. All. Time. pic.twitter.com/Ht7lidyCQx
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 8, 2020
That trio was responsible for cutting the deficit throughout the second half and eventually take over the lead in the final minute (100-98) – for the first time since the opening baskets. In fact, the Nuggets made a 10-0 run since the three-minute mark which almost decided the outcome. That is, was it not for Mitchell who banked seven points to force overtime.
??? pic.twitter.com/OLGZHI7I6s
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 8, 2020
OOOOOHHHH?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/oqLGjnSMrr
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 8, 2020
The two squads continue their race for the best possible seed in front of the playoffs with Denver (46-24) sticking close to the second-placed Clippers (47-22) while Houston (43-25) is fourth and Utah fifth (43-27).