The Nuggets had seen their 17-point lead in the third quarter evaporate and were even behind nine points at the start of the last quarter, before recovering to clinch a narrow victory.
They were once again able to count on Jokic, MVP of the 2021-22 season and author of 26 points and 22 rebounds, supported by Will Barton (17 points), Austin Rivers and Monte Morris (12 points each).
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On the Clippers' side, Brandon Boston and Eric Bledsoe scored 18 points each, as the Los Angeles squad played their first game since news of Paul George's long unavailability (at least three weeks) due to a tear in the ligament of the right elbow.
Backfire for Butler
In Miami, Jimmy Butler shone for his comeback after an eight-month absence due to a tailbone injury. He scored 17 points and took 11 rebounds, while distributing four assists and making three interceptions, to seal the victory of the Heat over the Orlando Magic (93-83). This return could not have come at a better time for Miami as Kyle Lowry joined the long list of NBA players sidelined by Covid-19 issues on Saturday and the team was also deprived of incumbents Bam Adebayo and PJ Tucker. The Magic had six players affected by the Covid protocol and six others absent due to injuries.
In Cleveland, the Cavaliers crushed Toronto 144-99 for the Raptors' first game since Dec. 18.
Toronto, three of the last four games of which have been postponed due to a lack of available players, had the league's minimum eight players on Sunday - four under contract and four signed under emergency league rules.
“
We haven't been able to do anything since our last game,
” said Nick Nurse, the Toronto coach, before the game.
Discarded players
In Chicago, the Bulls were carried by the return of Zach LaVine, fresh off Covid protocols, winning 113-105 over the Indiana Pacers. LaVine scored 32 points and DeMar DeRozan added 24 to bring Chicago to their third straight win. LaVine, who had not played since December 11, admitted he was frustrated at being sidelined due to the Covid. “
But this is the world we live in right now,
” he tempered. "
Everyone in the league and in the world is dealing with it right now, so I'm not going to feel sorry for myself
."
The game was also very close in Washington, where Joel Embiid (Philadelphia) scored 36 points and caught 13 rebounds in the 76ers' 117-96 win over the Wizards, who were deprived of their leading scorer Bradley Beal due to Covid. .
The Memphis Grizzlies, who lost Dillon Brooks and two other players to Covid on Sunday morning, struggled a little early in the game against the Sacramento Kings to finally win 127-102.
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