Nikola Jokic recorded his eighth triple-double of the season to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 105-99 win on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
Jokic recorded 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, coming up with the big plays down the stretch as he connected on back-to-back layups to close out the W.
The guy is a closer, nothing else to it.#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/Nim8AG0ZKj
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 31, 2019
Malik Beasley added 22 points, while Monte Morris chipped in 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, starting in place of the injured Jamal Murray, to help the Nuggets to their fourth-straight win as they move to a 35-15 record.
The short-handed Pelicans were missing a host of key players, with Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, E'Twaun Moore, Elfrid Payton and Nikola Mirotic all sidelined, leaving Jrue Holiday as the only available starter.
Despite their thin lineup, the Pelicans took a 56-53 lead at half-time behind strong performances from Holiday and Jahlil Okafor, who scored 12 points each in the half.
Denver responded immediately on a 10-0 run to open the third quarter and they never trailed again, outscoring the Pelicans 33-19 in the period.
The Nuggets maintained control through the fourth quarter before a pair of 3-pointers from Ian Clark and Holiday cut their lead to 100-99 with 1:32 remaining. Jokic then took over.
JRUE FOR THREE!!!!!!#PelicansGameday | #doitBIG pic.twitter.com/pEXru6VaZI
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 31, 2019
Holiday finished with 22 points on the night, with Okafor held quiet in the second half, recording 14 points and eight rebounds. Rookie Kenrich Williams provided a spark off the bench with 21 points and eight rebounds, connecting on 5-of-9 3-point attempts.
Tonight’s @redbull Energy Play of the Game: @williamskenrich’s 3-point power shot! 💥 #doitBIG pic.twitter.com/uGHM5dVjYu
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 31, 2019
Denver will look to extend their win streak to five games when they host James Harden and the Houston Rockets on Friday. The 23-29 Pelicans travel to San Antonio to take on the Spurs on Saturday.