The Nuggets are about to face the Hawks in a challenge for the defending champions in the East. Currently, the Nuggets have a 14-9 record, but have recently suffered three consecutive losses. Despite the Nuggets' ambitions to defend their title at the start of the season, Jokic's form has been sluggish and plagued by recent games. Other teams are gradually finding ways to restrain the Nuggets, and the league is interested in suppressing the Nuggets, so the Nuggets are eager to get back to the game with a win. Even, in the latest edition of the MVP list, Jokic's ranking slipped one place to second place.
The Hawks currently have a 9-12 record and are 10th in the East, but they have the fifth-highest offensive efficiency in the league and the second-highest points per game average in the league, but the bottom of the league on the defensive end. Trae Young, the star of the Hawks, is averaging 27 per game this season2 points and 10With 6 assists, he was excellent in terms of statistics, but he was less efficient and was often fined by referees. At the start of the game, the Nuggets' starting lineup was Murray, Pope, Porter, Gordon and Jokic;The Hawks' starting lineup is Trae Young, Murray, Matthews, Saddiq Bey and Capela.
Jokic scored on a single Kapera, Trae Young responded with a throw, then Murray and Capela each scored, and Gordon scored back-to-back inside for the Hawks. Midway through the game, Murray of the Hawks hit a three-pointer, but then unfortunately stepped on Jokic's ankle and suffered some pain. Capela scored back-to-back baskets, Murray hit another three-pointer, and Bogdan also started hitting three-pointers, and the Hawks gradually opened up the gap. Jokic scored from mid-range to help the Nuggets stop the bleeding and then scored on the inside.
Late in the quarter, the Hawks' Trae Young and Bogdan hit two long-range three-pointers in quick succession, and Reggie and Strauserie also scored back-to-back points to put the Nuggets behind the Hawks 28-36 at the end of the first quarter. Entering the second quarter, Trae Young showed his individual ability, Naji responded with 2+1, and Bogdan scored from mid-range, allowing the Hawks to open up the difference. After the timeout, Strauser scored seven straight points, and Sadie Baker and Matthews also started hitting three-pointers, but Strauser became the wonder man for the Nuggets, responding with two consecutive three-pointers, and the Hawks never opened the gap further.
After Jokic returned to the court, he scored on Capeira, Murray was not affected by the injury, hit a three-pointer, and then singled out Trae Young to score, Jokic also successfully taught Bogdan a lesson, so that the Nuggets completed a wave of offensive to overtake the score. Late in the quarter, Murray completed a dunk and mid-range shot, giving the Nuggets a 65-62 lead over the Hawks at halftime. As the second half of the game was about to begin, Gordon started a dunk, Murray also scored on a jumper, and Trae Young stepped back to shoot a three-pointer.
In the middle of the game, Jokic grabbed an offensive rebound and connected to Spectrum and Gordon's assists to help the defending champions stretch the margin to more than 10 points. Immediately after, Jamal Murray hit a three-pointer and Gordon scored a layup and drew a foul. Strawther was still brave and helped the Nuggets extend the margin to 20 points. Trae Young's mentality was hit, and he complained incessantly and suffered two technical fouls as a result, eventually being ejected. At the end of the quarter, Bogdan hit a series of three-pointers, while Reggie made it 2+1, and at the end of the third quarter, the Nuggets led the Hawks 104-86.
Heading into the fourth quarter, it was expected that the game would soon go into garbage time, but the Hawks didn't give up, with Sadiebeck and Okongwu scoring to close the gap. Murray blossomed inside and out, stabilizing the situation, and the Hawks' Murray responded with a three-pointer. At the decisive moment, Jamal Murray hit a three-pointer, and Jokic achieved 2+1, but at this time, Bogdan suddenly hit three three-pointers in a row to narrow the gap and keep the suspense. However, in the end, Jokic made free throws to stabilize the victory, and the Nuggets defeated the Hawks 129-122, ending their three-game losing streak and sending the Hawks to a four-game losing streak.
For the Hawks, Trae Young had 19 points and nine rebounds, Bogdan contributed 40 points, Dejounte Murray had 21 points and six rebounds, Sadiq Bey had 16 points and Capela contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. For the Nuggets, Jokic had 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, Murray had 29 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, Strawther had 22 points and 5 steals, and Gordon had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Luckily, the Nuggets have a surprise player in this game, and Jokic hasn't been in great form lately and has a bit of a bad hand. It's clear that the Nuggets are clearly feeling tired this season, and it will be difficult to defend their title in the playoffs.