Nuggets hold off Raptors for 113-104 victory
Global News
Nikola Jokic had 31 points and 15 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets held off a late Toronto comeback effort to earn a 113-104 win over the Raptors on Wednesday night.
TORONTO – Nikola Jokic had 31 points and 15 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets held off a late Toronto comeback effort to earn a 113-104 win over the Raptors on Wednesday night.
Canada’s Jamal Murray added 20 points for Denver (19-10), which has won five of its last six games.
Murray, from Kitchener, Ont., was met with a standing ovation during pre-game introductions and a second-quarter timeout when highlighted for his national team play.
Scottie Barnes scored a team-high 30 points for Toronto (11-16), which has dropped to 2-6 in December.
Pascal Siakam and Precious Achiuwa contributed 18 and 13 points, respectively.
The Raptors won five of their last seven home games against the Nuggets, dating back to October 2016 entering Wednesday.
Caldwell-Pope and Murray combined for a 7-0 run to provide Denver its first lead, 18-13, with 4:24 left and never looked back. The Nuggets held a 29-20 edge following the opening quarter.
In the second, the Raptors failed to get out of their own way. Toronto committed six turnovers in the opening 6:48 of the frame as Denver’s second and first units combined for eight points off giveaways and went up 45-33.
