Denver Nuggets guard Markus Howard (00) dribbles past DayRon Sharpe (20) of the Brooklyn Nets at Ball Arena on Sunday, February 6, 2022. (Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
After a high-scoring first half, the Denver Nuggets cranked up the defense and pulled away from the Brooklyn Nets, 124-104, Sunday at Ball Arena.
The Nuggets and Nets played a breakneck pace in the first half, which ended with the Nuggets up 76-75.
But then they turned on the defensive switch and held the Nets to 29 points in the second half, while scoring 48 themselves.
Nikola Jokic led the way again with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, his 14th triple-double of the season. Will Barton had 21 points, six rebounds and four assists while Aaron Gordon scored 17 points and added nine rebounds and seven assists.
Seven Nuggets scored in double figures, including all five starters.
The Nuggets bolted out of halftime and outscored the Nets 31-16 in the third quarter before closing out the game with a 17-13 fourth quarter.
Nets guard James Harden did not play due to a hamstring issue.
The Nuggets will host the New York Knicks on Tuesday, February 8 at 7 p.m. MST.
Postgame comments from Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
Postgame comments from Nuggets center DeMarcus Cousins.
Postgame comments from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.