Jokic scores 40, Porzingis scores 17, as Denver defeats New York, 131-123

Denver’s old friend Carmelo Anthony did his best with 33 points, but was no match for our new superstar, Nicola Jokic.

The New York crowd watched in shock and awe as The Joker played all his cards with The Unicorn. If teams are going to close lanes to restrict Nikola’s unsurpassed passing, he will simply score 40 for Denver.

Defensive Demonstration?

It wasn’t the greatest defensive effort for either team in the legendary Madison Square Garden Friday night. New York shot 55.9% and Denver shot 56.8%. The Nuggets took 95 shots and hit 54 of them while the Knicks took 93 shots and hit 52.

The rims are real big in The Garden. This game was not exactly a demonstration in excellent NBA defense. It wasn’t for lack of effort by the Nuggets; it was just big rims and Melo.

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Denver’s old friend Carmelo Anthony did show his stuff, scoring 33 and nailing 5 threes in the fourth quarter. There is still a little gas in the old boy’s tank. But he was largely alone.

Those banners with great New York teams of the past may have to wait a while before they hang another one.

But let the banners fly for Nikola Jokic, aka, THE JOKER.

In the much anticipated battle of the new bigs, Porzingis, 7’3”, vs. Jokic, 6’11”, someone stole someone’s lunch.

Nicola Jokic; when he only get 5 assists, he scores 40 points. Is 50 next?

Heard any good Jok’s lately?

The Joker was relentless in his scoring, hitting 40 points, 18 in the third quarter, for 73.9% shooting.

Let me repeat: 73.9% shooting on 17 of 23, to go with 5 assists, 9 rebounds, 2-3 beyond the arc, 4-5 from the line, 2 steals in 36:41 minutes.

Whew. It’s hard just reciting those stats. Oh by the way, he had 18 in the critical third quarter when the Nuggets put the game away.

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Nugg Love 1 dW2W4: Denver at New York

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Porzingis (Poor zingis) did his best in 33 minutes, scoring 17 points, with 4 assists, 3 rebounds a block and a steal, but was clearly out matched.

The New York crowd watched in shock and awe as the Joker played all his cards with Porzingis. If teams are going to close lanes to restrict Nicola’s unearthly passing, he will simply score 40.

Denver’s iron men, Wilson Chandler and Darrell Arthur, delegated as starters with injuries to Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried, delivered again.

Iron Man #1 Wilson Chandler continued his stellar play, delivering 19 points, 3 assists, 4 boards, 64% from the field, 2 blocks, 2 steals, in 36 minutes.

The Nuggets better hold on to Wilson Chandler. He performs consistently at a very high level.

Iron Man #2, Darrell Arthur, delivered 13 points, 3 rebounds, and his 3 pointers were critical, 3 for 6. These veterans are so pleased to play with one Nicola Jokic.

Wilson on Jokic: “Yeah, he’s already a star in my eyes. Watching him last year, I knew he was going to be good. He’s a great basketball player and he has charisma. He’s a people person. I think those two together makes a star.”

Darrell on Jokic: “He’s the goat man. He’s very special player. I saw it early last year and he’s just a tough guard man. I don’t know how anybody can guard him.

Um, he makes the offense 10 times better, when he’s out there on the court. He makes everyone better. He’s still getting better man; he’s only 21 years old.

He has a lot of room to grow. He’s going to be a very special person…. He hates to lose man. Video games, tick tack toe. He just makes us better.”

Let’s remember that the Joker has excellent team mates: Gary Harris (15 points), Will Barton (10 boards) and especially Jameer Nelson all had stellar offensive games.

Turn, turn turn.

Nelson, who just turned 35, also turned back the clock with 16 points, 6-10 shooting, 12 assists, 4 boards, in 35.39 minutes. Still got it Jameer. Just don’t turn it over late in the fourth quarter again.

The good thing is he was getting the ball to the Joker or delivering sizzling passes and only shooting when he had to.

Will Barton forces his will on his opponents. Another invaluable asset who isn’t afraid to step up.

This says it all.

Can the Nuggets, slow down LeBron and Kyrie? Can you, Chandler and Harris? We will see an exciting game Saturday night. If not, just outscore them! Dictate the pace!

Cleveland is next, no problem (Just don’t get down by 10)

Isiah Thomas (the original), against Dallas, said that Denver was real. That they were a Juggernaut. We will find out soon.

The next game is in Cleveland Saturday night against the Cavaliers. Cleveland is only last year’s NBA champions coming back from being down 3-1 to Golden State and winning 4-3.

Will Coach Malone structure a game plan considering:

LeBron and Love vs. Wilson and Harris and Barton and Juancho, try O’Bryant – multiple defenses, switches?

Back to back game plan- fatigue and substituting – anticipate resting even for short periods?

Cleveland’s defense – take care of the ball, careful, sharp passing, don’t dribble, control the pace?

Cleveland’s three point shooting – hedge and trap always, hedge and trap?; it works

Cleveland’s runs – timeouts, substituting, out score them if defense isn’t responding?

The fourth quarter – someone else needs to step up, because LeBron and Kyrie will. Wilson? Barton? Jameer? Harris? Nurkic ? The Nuggets know the Joker will step up.

The Nuggets have a secret weapon. Nikola Jokic. Jokic vs LeBron, who will have the line of the night? Who will have the last laugh?

The Nuggets have to dictate the game and not turn the ball over. If they don’t play aggressive and dictate the pace it might be a long night.