The Denver Nuggets (8-2) pulled away with a strong fourth quarter and handed the Sacramento Kings (3-8) their third-straight loss in a 122-108 victory on November 12.
Here are the key stats and the top performers of the game.
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Nikola Jokic DEN C 35 PTS | 15 REB | 7 AST | 66.5 FPS
The Joker missed only three shots, setting a new season best in scoring and his fourth 30-point performance in five games. He also finished with his ninth double-double of the season. Last year, he recorded the feat 59 times.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
Russell Westbrook SAC PG 14 PTS | 8 REB | 11 AST | 38.1 FPS
Russ bounced back strong after a rough outing against the Wolves. He finished with a season-high in assists and notched his fourth double-double — all coming this month.
SCORING MACHINES:
Aaron Gordon DEN PF 17 PTS | 5-11 FG | 2-4 3PT | 27.9 FPS
Gordon has consistently scored around the 20-point mark, shooting 54% from the field and 44% from deep over four games this month.
DeMar DeRozan SAC SF 18 PTS | 7-15 FG | 2-6 3PT | 28.2 FPS
DeRozan has scored around the 20-point mark in his last three games despite limited production at the line and from three. However, his secondary categories have seen a noticeable decline after averaging 4.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals last month.
STAT SPECIALIST:
Domantas Sabonis SAC C 19 PTS | 8 REB | 4 AST | 34.6 FPS
Sabonis has scored at least 18 points for the fourth time in five games and led his team in scoring for the first time this season. He also led in rebounding for the eighth time this season despite ending his seven-straight double-digit streak with a season-low output.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Peyton Watson DEN SF 3 REB | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 8.6 FPS
Watson’s rebounding numbers have been up and down this month, but his defensive impact has stayed consistent, recording at least two stocks in seven of his last eight games.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Jamal Murray DEN PG 23 PTS | 7-15 FG | 4-9 3PT | 35.6 FPS
Murray shot 1-for-13 from deep in his first two games this month and finished with season-lows in points. But he got his rhythm back in his last two, hitting 9-of-16 threes and posting back-to-back 23-point performances.
THE X-FACTOR:
Bruce Brown DEN PG 14 PTS | 7 REB | 2 STL | 29.9 FPS
Brown has put up season-high scoring performances in two games against the Kings this month, averaging 13.5 points. Defensively, he also recorded his season-high in rebounds for the second-straight game and matched his season-best in steals for the third time.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Drew Eubanks SAC C 19 PTS | 8-9 FG | 7 REB | 27.9 FPS
Eubanks has stepped up offensively this month, scoring in double figures in five of his last six games. He also made an even bigger impact today, leading the team in scoring with his season-high in points, along with his best rebounding game this season.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Zach LaVine SAC SG 12 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST
LaVine scored at least 30 points in five of his first six games this season, but he’s hit a rough patch this month—scoring 15 or fewer points in three of his last four games and averaging just 13.5 points while shooting 3-for-11 from deep in two outings against the Nuggets.
