NBA: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets deal Mavericks first loss

Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, proper, appears to move the ball as Dallas Mavericks middle Dereck Energetic II defends throughout the first half of an NBA basketball in-season event recreation Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photograph/David Zalubowski)

DENVER — Nikola Jokic completed an help shy of a triple-double and the Denver Nuggets held off the Dallas Mavericks 125-114 on Friday evening to open the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Match.

Jokic had 33 factors, 14 rebounds and 9 assists. He was 14 of 16 from the sphere on Denver’s new, vibrant blue-and-yellow courtroom.

Michael Porter Jr. scored 24 factors, and Jamal Murray had 18 factors and 13 assists for the NBA champion Nuggets, who led by 20 factors within the third quarter earlier than seeing Dallas trim it to eight late within the recreation. Jokic made a chopping layup with 1:11 remaining to seal it.

Nikola Jokic dominated in Denver’s West Group B opening W 💪

33 PTS 14 REB 9 AST 88% FG

The @nuggets subsequent NBA In-Season Match matchup is Tuesday, 11/14 vs. LAC on TNT 🏆 pic.twitter.com/oRrY57stP0

— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2023

The Mavericks misplaced for the primary time this season. Luka Doncic completed with 34 factors, 10 rebounds and eight assists but additionally had 9 turnovers. Kyrie Irving chipped in 22 factors.

Dallas was with out coach Jason Kidd, who didn’t make the journey because of a non-COVID-19 sickness. High assistant Sean Sweeney took his spot on the bench.

Jokic confirmed uncommon emotion within the first half, letting out a scream after making a 3-pointer on the buzzer.

Talking of lengthy distance, the 3-point line on the Nuggets’ colorful court needed to be repainted earlier than the sport after it was found to be the flawed distance.

Luka did Luka issues (34 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST) within the Mavs’ NBA In-Season Match opener 👀

The @dallasmavs subsequent NBA In-Season Match matchup is Friday, 11/10 vs. LAC on the NBA App 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Wu5lXxKZTz

— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2023

This marked the primary In-Season Match recreation for every crew. The Nuggets, sporting their “5280” uniforms, and Mavericks are in West Group B with the Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans, Dallas and Houston. The six group winners make the quarterfinals, together with a pair of wildcard groups — the 2 finest second-place finishers from the teams.

One of many tiebreakers that shall be in play throughout the event is level differential, which can have an effect on whether or not coaches take their foot off the fuel pedal even when up huge. Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated there’s an “unwritten rule about respecting the sport, respecting your opponent however on the similar time, if that is going to assist us advance, it’s a must to use the whole lot to your benefit.”

Quarterfinal video games are Dec. 4 and 5 at increased seeds; the semifinals are Dec. 7 in Las Vegas and the title recreation is Dec. 9 in Las Vegas as groups compete for the NBA Cup.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Host Clippers on Nov. 10 in subsequent In-season Match recreation. Host Charlotte on Sunday in an everyday recreation.

Nuggets: Host Clippers on Nov. 14 in subsequent In-season Match recreation. Host Chicago on Saturday in an everyday recreation.