By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets took control in the third quarter to blow out the Milwaukee Bucks in the latest edition of NBA Sundays.
European stars Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo colliding at Fiserv Forum did not shape a tight battle down the stretch. The Joker dominating large stretches put the visitors at safe distance.
“We kind of gave them what they wanted, which was to get everybody involved,” pointed out Antetokounmpo after the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season contest, “Nikola, he gets going by passing the ball. He doesn’t get going by scoring the ball. So, like, I feel like we had to, personally, in my opinion, play straight up, make him just go one-on-one all night long and everybody take that individual pride and guard your own man. We didn’t do that.”
Jokic got off to a hot start dishing out eight assists in the first quarter. Helping the Nuggets to pull away after the break, he was limited to 28 minutes but fell just one rebound shy of a triple-double.
“He likes to win,” mentioned head coach Mike Budenholzer on the Serbian superstar, “He’s going to do whatever it takes to win. Credit to him.”
“He was sitting there picking us apart,” added Jrue Holiday, “We didn’t give ourselves a chance to win.”
Jokic, 26, captured the 2020-21 NBA MVP award following back-to-back nods for the Greek Freak. The Bucks leader instead won NBA Finals MVP leading his side to the second NBA championship in franchise history.
“I think all international players have some kind of connection. We came from other countries, that’s the connection,” Jokic replied to a question about his relationship with Antetokounmpo, “He’s a great guy. He’s done a lot of good stuff here in Milwaukee.”
After jumping to 28-21, the Nuggets will wrap up the six-game road trip facing the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Photo Credit: Getty Images