For the second time this season, the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets faced each other in a game between teams from different conferences, and once again Nikola Jokic’s team came out on top in a 125 x 119 victory in the rematch. However, the duel also provided the reunion of two brothers.
Michael Porter Jr of the Nuggets faced his brother Jeontey Porter of the Raptors at the Ball Arena in Denver. This is Jeontey’s first season as a professional, and coming off the bench the player had a good performance in three-point shots, converting four of the seven attempts.
The predisposition and preference for three-point balls seems to be in the Porters’ DNA, while Michael is considered one of the best shooters in the NBA.
Jokic made NBA history in victory against the Raptors
BIG BUCKET from @JontayPorter 👌 pic.twitter.com/jv0R50GWH6
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 12, 2024Nikola Jokic once again scored a triple double. However, this was different. According to StatMuse, Nikola Jokic is the only player in the 21st century to score a TD with 30+ points, 15+ rebounds, 10+ assists and 5+ steals.
Facing the Toronto Raptors, Jokic scored 35 points, capitalized on 17 rebounds, distributed 12 assists and regained possession of the ball, stealing it six times from the opponent.
Alongside Jokic, Jamal Murray led the Denver Nuggets’ 22-point comeback
Before the game everything seemed set for a victory for the home team in Colorado. All healthy, eight wins and one loss since the all-star brake, facing a team that is currently not fighting for a place in the playoffs. However, what was another “easy” victory for the Nuggets turned into a huge nightmare.
Nikola Jokic has been an absolute NIGHTMARE for Toronto on both ends tonight… pic.twitter.com/VrfO1pTG5H
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) March 12, 2024The biggest gap on the scoreboard was 22 points midway through the third quarter, when Denver woke up in the game. With Jokic and Murray active on both sides of the ball, in addition to the Raptors’ blocks and blocked shots from the Nuggets, the counterattack was a trick that the home team used to shorten the score until it became a one-possession game.
Murray was the one who put Denver up one point and with the balls in his hands at the free throw line he had the chance to tie the game. He made a mistake in taking the penalty. Toronto attempted a counterattack but was prevented. Possession returned to the Nuggets and this time the point guard didn’t waste the shot, hitting the jump shot from mid-range to put his team ahead 108 x 107.
From then on, Denver opened up the advantage, but Toronto didn’t give up easily. Kelly Olynik and RJ Barrett kept the Raptors on the Nuggets’ trail, but with the lineup mixed with bench players and starters in full physical shape, the Canadian team ended up losing two possessions of the ball for a three-point difference.
Jamal Murray finished the game with a double-double of 26 points, 12 assists and five rebounds, being the only Nuggets player besides Jokic to have double figures in two of the three main basketball statistics.
JAMAL. MURRAY. 🥶
pic.twitter.com/FafTtLor3T
— Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) March 12, 2024When is the Denver Nuggets next NBA game?
Miami Heat x Denver Nuggets – 03/13
When is the Toronto Raptors next NBA game?
Detroit Pistons x Toronto Raptors – 03/13
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