OKLAHOMA CITY — The showdown between MVP combatants ended in a stalemate.
Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the Nuggets got the better of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder in a rematch Monday at Paycom Center, pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 140-127 statement win.
It was only Oklahoma City’s third double-digit loss of the season.
Jokic amassed 35 points on 15-of-20 shooting, 17 rebounds and eight assists. Murray was the best Canadian on the floor, piling up 34 points and six assists. Denver (42-23) moved back into second place in the West behind Oklahoma City with the victory.
“With Shai’s size — I don’t think people realize how strong he is — his ability to break you down off the dribble, get wherever he wants to go, raise up and shoot that midrange shot, draw free throws … (and) knock down the step back 3, there’s no weakness in this game,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said before the game. “No chinks in that armor.”
He hadn’t finished his thought.
“Sometimes I think he gets away with a little bit of the push off,” Malone continued. “I’ll be begging for that call all day long, but they won’t call it.”
Instead, it ended up being Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault who picked up an early technical foul for arguing calls. The Nuggets landed the first blow for the second day in a row, scoring 14 points in the first four minutes, until OKC settled in and had them on their heels within each of the first three quarters.
That suited them. The first frame was punctuated by a 7-0 last minute, with Jalen Pickett’s 3-pointer giving Denver a 34-32 lead. The second ended with an 8-2 run to get back within six. The third ended with an 8-0 haymaker that finally carried over.
Jokic took his seat for the start of the fourth with a 101-99 cushion. Murray and the second unit kept it safe for him. Everyone splashed jumpers, including Peyton Watson, a man possessed after playing only six minutes on Sunday. After his fourth corner 3-pointer — he never missed — he turned to the Thunder’s bench behind him and exclaimed.
Russell Westbrook, greeted by a standing ovation Sunday and another lighter round of applause Monday, contributed 16 efficient points, five boards and seven assists.
The Nuggets blitzed Gilgeous-Alexander more than the previous game, forcing the ball to Isaiah Hartenstein on the short roll. He made his floaters in the first half for 16 points, then he cooled off and finished with 20. Gilgeous-Alexander had 25 points and seven assists