The Denver Nuggets (12-3) survived an intense showdown against the Houston Rockets (10-4) securing their ninth win in their last ten with a 112-109 victory on November 22.
Here are the key stats and the top performers of the game.
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Nikola Jokic DEN C 34 PTS | 10 REB | 9 AST | 64.5 FPS
Jokic dominated in the third quarter, pouring 18 points to keep his team in control. He also recorded his seventh 30-point performance in his last ten games, posted his seventh straight double-digit rebounding performance and also tallied at least three stocks for the eighth time this season.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
Reed Sheppard HOU PG 27 PTS | 5-8 3PT | 4 AST | 38.0 FPS
Sheppard was red-hot in the opening half, dropping 20 points on a highly efficient 8-for-11 shooting from the field. He finished with a career-best in scoring and his second 20-point, 5-threes performance of the season.
SCORING MACHINES:
Jamal Murray DEN PG 26 PTS | 10-16 FG | 3-7 3PT | 45.4 FPS
Murray took over in the fourth quarter with 14 points and a strong all-around impact, finishing with his ninth 20-point and third 10-assist game of the season.
Amen Thompson HOU SF 22 PTS | 10-18 FG | 1-2 3PT | 36.4 FPS
Thompson came up big in the final quarter, scoring 11 points to lead the team and registered his third 20-point outing this month. He also turned in a well-rounded performance, but consistency remains an issue.
STAT SPECIALIST:
Alperen Sengun HOU C 15 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST | 28.0 FPS
Sengun struggled against the Nuggets, recording season lows in both scoring and rebounding, along with his fewest assists in four games. Foul troubles and turnovers have also become major problems in recent games.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Bruce Brown DEN PG 1 REB | 3 STL | 1 BLK | 27.7 FPS
Brown finished with his second straight 10-point, 3-assist and 3-steal performance.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Jabari Smith Jr. HOU PF 21 PTS | 5-11 3PT | 11 REB | 40.2 FPS
Smith Jr. recorded a season-best performance from three and scored 20 points for the third time this year. He’s also been productive on the boards, tallying 8 or more rebounds for the sixth time in his last seven outings.
THE X-FACTOR:
Tim Hardaway Jr. DEN SG 12 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 18.6 FPS
THJ has scored under 10 points in his last two games but delivered against the Rockets, putting up at least 10 points for the fifth time this month.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Peyton Watson DEN SF 9 PTS | 10 REB | 3 AST | 28.5 FPS
Peyton has stepped up for the shorthanded Nuggets, grabbing 10 rebounds in his second straight game while maintaining solid defensive production, averaging one block and one steal this month.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Kevin Durant HOU PF 13 PTS | 7 REB | 2 AST
KD struggled on offense, recording more shot attempts (14) than points and scoring under 15 for the second time this season. His outside shooting has also become a concern, going 2-for-11 over his last two games.
