Nikola Jokić powered the Denver Nuggets to a narrow 112‑109 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday, halting Houston’s five‑game winning streak in the NBA Cup group stage.
Jokić posted 34 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, including a dominant 18‑point third quarter (6‑of‑7 shooting) that erased a halftime deficit and set the tone for Denver’s rally. His backcourt partner Jamal Murray chipped in 26 points and 10 assists, drilling clutch baskets down the stretch to fend off Houston’s comeback.
Houston’s 21‑year‑old forward Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds but was let down by a cold night from veterans Kevin Durant (13 points) and Alperen Şengün (14 points), who missed a combined 14 of their 25 shot attempts.
Denver jumped to 2‑1 in West Group C of the NBA Cup, while Houston dropped to 1‑2, left to rue a 6‑of‑24 start in the first quarter and six straight misses that contributed to an early 25‑12 deficit.
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