Denver Nuggets lose after big lead

Denver had everything successful his hands; and successful the extremity was near with nothing. Even an 18-point vantage was not capable for the Nuggets to decision San Antonio and beforehand to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup for the archetypal clip successful the club's history. The Spurs won 139:136 led by the large Devin Vassell and remained successful the crippled for the trophy that was introduced past season.

Nikola Jokić, 29-year-old halfway from Serbia, played a bully crippled again: 21 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists; helium was conscionable 1 leap abbreviated of different triple-double. However, arsenic against Memphis, this clip helium took importantly less shots than earlier successful the season; helium changeable the handbasket lone 10 times, with 7 hits. The large person of the Nuggets was visibly focused, but the squad show was not capable to win.

In the archetypal half, determination was nary denotation of a large turnaround. With a bid of bully actions, Denver went to +15 (74:59); and a three-pointer by Jamal Murray, an awesome 27-year-old, astatine the opening of the 2nd portion brought +18 (77:59). Everything looked similar a definite way to victory.

The weakened Spurs, without the injured Victor Wembanyame, gradually melted the quality and entered the past 4th with a minimal deficit. In the end, they rapidly took the lead, went 135:128 and decided the match. Devin Vassell excelled with 35 points; with a fantastic 7/9 for a three-pointer. Julian Champagne added 25 points and De'Aaron Fox added 15 points. With Denver, Murray, the team's experienced leader, scored 37 points and became lone the 5th subordinate successful Nuggets past to surpass 10,000 points. Cam Johnson added 28 points.

Quarterfinals of the NBA Cup

In the East: Orlando Magic (1) plays against Miami Heat (4); Toronto Raptors (2) vs. New York Knicks (3).
In the West: Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (4); Los Angeles Lakers (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (3).

The Nuggets showed prime and combativeness, but the acquisition and large performances of the opponents decided the game. The Serbian halfway continues to excel successful statistics, but squad problems and weaker shooting opportunities prevented him from reaching the quarterfinals. The aboriginal of this squad volition beryllium interesting, and we volition spot what Denver tin truly connection successful the future.