The Nuggets kept the heat on the Spurs, ending the win streak. |
Snapping the win streak, Denver was led by Devin Harris (19 points), Nikola Jokic (18 points) and Jamal Murray (16 points)--all three making tough shots late to quell the comeback chances--with Will Barton scoring 12 points, Wilson Chandler scoring 11 points with 8 rebounds and 5 assists and Paul Millsap grabbing 13 rebounds for 9 points with 3 blocks. Kenneth Faried also had a monstrous throw-down for 8 points.
Pau Gasol had just 9 points with 9 rebounds; Jeremy Lamb had 9 points on 4/10 shooting. Bryn Forbes was chilly from the perimeter on 1/6 shooting as the Nuggets led 74-57 at one point. A late rally made the margin of defeat more respectable, winning the 4th Quarter 30-23 but it was over. Denver blitzed into the lead after a 32-20 win in the 3rd, following up nicely out of haltime which had them winning the 2nd 31-23. The Spurs only led after quarter one, shooting 36% overall and 22% from long range whereas the Nuggets feasted on them for 57% shooting, dominating the rebounds 42-25 with four more assists and 4 blocks to call their own.
The Spurs now move to 46-7 on the season after this streak-snapping defeat.