The Denver Nuggets swept the regular season series over the Miami Heat for the fifth straight year, going 10 during that span.
Jimmy Butler is finally back for the Miami Heat, but the Denver Nuggets had other plans about it.
Nikola Jokic registered his 17th triple-double of the season in a strong 133-113 Nuggets bounce-back over the Heat, Saturday, January 18.
Jokic returned after missing Denver’s 118-99 domination of the Dallas Mavericks in their last game due to a right elbow sprain. He posted 24 markers, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jamal Murray led the squad in scoring with 30 points.
Aaron Gordon came off the bench to contribute 16 markers while Michael Porter Jr. chipped 14 more as the Nuggets improved to 25-16, keeping within the heels of the West no. 3 Memphis Grizzlies (26-15).
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler returned from a seven-game suspension and finished with 18 points. Tyler Herro logged 22 more and Nikola Jovic churned in 16 markers off the bench.
Denver next visits the Orlando Magic (23-20) while Miami aims to end their skid in facing the San Antonio Spurs (19-20).
Meanwhile, Without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane dazzled with his scoring and playmaking skills for the Memphis Grizzlies, who toppled the San Antonio Spurs for the second time in the last three days.
Santi Aldama went off with a career-high 29 points, sparking a critical Grizzlies second half outburst that resulted in a 140-112 romp of the Spurs.
It was Aldama’s seventh game this season scoring 20 markers or more coming off the bench, as Memphis outscored San Antonio, 78-48, in the final two quarters.
Desmond Bane dazzled with 22 markers and a career-high 14 dimes for the Grizzlies, who two days toppled the Spurs with Morant in the line-up. He was out this time due to a foot injury.
Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle combined for 41 points in a losing effort for the Spurs (19-21) with Victor Wembanyama hammering out a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double on top of six blocks.
(NBA website)
