Nuggets-Rockets Instant Reactions: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray go nuclear, Denver wins in OT on Jokmas

The Denver Nuggets got a 39-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double from Nikola Jokic on Jokmas and the Nuggets held off the Rockets in overtime for a 128-125 win.

Jokic fouled out in overtime so it was on Jamal Murray and the Jokic-less Nuggets to close the game. They did just that.

Alperen Sengun missed a game-tying 3 late in OT and the Nuggets held on for the win. Murray finished with 35 points.

Here’s what else stood out from the game.

Huge 1st half for the bench

Jokic and the Nuggets starters came out a tad lackadaisical in the 1st quarter, but a wild bench lineup was there to jumpstart Denver‘s offense and defense. An early injury to Peyton Watson (right hip contusion) knocked him out of the 1st half, so it was Zeke Nnaji stepping in on the Nuggets’ second unit. And he held his own.

Jonas Valanciunas owned the paint in the 1st half, tallying 8 points on a perfect 4-4 shooting. Tim Hardaway Jr. was aggressive and accurate too. Hardaway finished the 1st half with 10 points.

Overall, the Nuggets went +4 in the non-Jokic minutes in the 1st. They were only +1 in the Jokic minutes.

Nuggets defense comes aliove

Denver, behind the bench, shut down the Rockets offense in the 2nd quarter. The Nuggets held the Rockets to 21 points in the 2nd quarter.

A couple no-calls also got the Rockets frustrated. It led to technical fouls on both coach Ime Udoka and Alperen Sengun. It’s what led to a double-digit 1st half lead for the Nuggets. Denver grabbed momentum and was able to lead 58-51 at the break.

Jokic 4th quarter takeover

Jokic and Alperen Sengun battled back and forth for most of the 4th quarter after Valanciunas fouled out around the 9-minute mark. Both bigs hit tough shot after tough shot.

Jokic got up to 37 points in the 4th quarter and had a straight-away 3 to win the game as time expired. His shot bounced off the back iron and to overtime we went.