The Nuggets avoided the Rocky Mountain cold this weekend by escaping to Florida, and they picked up two wins while they were away.
They’ll return to Denver to host the 76ers on Tuesday after a 113-100 win over the Magic on Sunday.
Nikola Jokic amassed 20 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and three blocks in three quarters, his impressive efficiency against Wendell Carter Jr. and Jonathan Isaac allowing him to rest the final frame. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. combined for 34 points, both getting hot in the third as Denver (26-16) pulled away.
Reuniting with KCP
DeAndre Jordan took advantage of an opportunity to celebrate in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s face during the second quarter. Jamal Murray, running in transition, pulled up at the 3-point line and missed off the front of the rim. Jordan snatched the rebound over his former teammate and dunked on him with authority.
Denver’s backup center screamed with a little extra gusto at Caldwell-Pope, who looked like he was trying to hold back laughter while asking the closest official for a foul. Nearby, Watson made a “too small” hand gesture.
The competitiveness between Caldwell-Pope and the Nuggets was all in good fun, following a series of warm greetings before the opening tip. It was the first time KCP has faced his former team since signing a three-year, $66 million deal with the Magic last summer, ending a two-season stint in Denver during which he won his second career championship.
The 31-year-old guard scored 12 points, but it took a 4-for-14 game to get there. Orlando is the worst 3-point shooting team in the league by a sizable 3% margin, and the loss to Denver reflected that. Despite a hot start and a brief 10-point lead, the Magic wrapped up the night 29% from the perimeter on 41 attempts.
Ball Arena will welcome Caldwell-Pope back on Feb. 6.
Nuggets’ new fifth starter
Meanwhile, Caldwell-Pope’s replacement in the Denver starting lineup had an exceptional showing in Orlando. Christian Braun went for 20 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block. It was his sixth career 20-point game and his second this week.
All 15 of Braun’s games with more than 15 points this season have come on 50% shooting or better. In those 10 of those performances, he has shot 60% or better. The 23-year-old was 6 for 10 against the Magic, gashing a top-three defense in transition and consistently getting to the foul line.
Braun made all seven free-throw attempts in the win, and the Nuggets made 26 of 31, embracing the physicality of an Orlando game. They’re second in the league in free-throw attempts per game this season with 24.
Watson’s highlight head injury
After a 15-game blocked shot streak ended in Miami, Peyton Watson swatted with a vengeance in Orlando. But his third block of the first half and 50th of the season came at a cost. Cole Anthony tried to climb the ladder on him after Orlando won a jump ball in a 49-49 game, and Watson ascended with textbook verticality to deny him. The cherry on top was a ricochet off Anthony before the ball went out of bounds.
But Watson’s head snapped back as he crash-landed on his back, forcing him to take his time getting up from the baseline. The young forward went to the locker room accompanied by trainers and was evaluated as questionable to return with a head contusion. He didn’t return in the second half.
Watson blocked 88 shots last season, ranking 14th in the league despite his limited minutes off the bench. With 28 blocks in the last 17 games, he’s now up to 14th again with 50 this season. What makes it impressive is that each of the top 13 are 6-foot-10 or taller; Watson is listed as 6-7.
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