Nikola Jokic continues to make his MVP Statement as he dropped 47 points on the Grizzlies in a 139-137 Double Overtime win over the visiting Grizzlies. Joker also added 15 rebounds and missed a triple-double by just 2 assists. Fellow All-Star Ja Morant kept Memphis in the game with 36 points. But down the stretch the consensus MVP favorite helped erase a 9-point deficit under 3 mins to force the first overtime, and did everything his team needed to secure the win.
Following the win Head Coach Michael Malone couldn't heap enough praise on Jokic and his ability to make plays when they matter most, "I think his confidence in clutch situations has been born from doing it," he said. "He's put this team on his back the last 3, 4 years. That's why we've already been a really good closing team."
As for the MVP award talk, the last time a Center won the award was 2000 when Shaquille O'Neal took home the hardware. Jokic is excited about the idea that either he or Sixers Joel Embiid could be named Most Valuable Player, "it's really good for big men, especially in the last kind of years, small ball was really...I think there are lot of bigs that can do a lot on the court, especially in today's NBA...I'm glad we're popular, Jokic said.
Jokic and The Nuggets look to continue their hot play of late as they go for win number 4 in a row Wednesday night in Portland.