By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Defense allowing space to Nikola Jokic was painful for the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The Joker replied with a clutch three-pointer shortly after a go-ahead bucket to seal the win for the Denver Nuggets in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“I am shooting it, probably,” said the Serbian superstar on his options in similar situations, “I trust myself. So, if I am wide open and it is a good shot, I am going to shoot it.”
After registering his 13th triple-double of the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, Jokic created a winning distance with 4.7 seconds on the clock. He was left wide open after the Pacers focused on Jamal Murray in the key possession.
“We have a great connection, just playing off each other,” commented the Canadian guard and referred to the latest game-clinching combination, “That was the read.”
The recipient of the 2023 Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award tucked in the go-ahead points with 1:38 remaining in the exciting affair. His triple-double consisted of 31 points, 13 rebounds, and ten assists. Averaging 26.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks per contest over 44 appearances, brilliant displays near his side to the top of the Western Conference table.
After improving to 31-14, the Nuggets complete a five-game road trip by visiting the New York Knicks in the Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Completing this week’s schedule, they host the Philadelphia 76ers in Ball Arena on the next edition of NBA Sundays.
Photo Credit: Getty Images