Through much of the game, the Denver Nuggets made it look easy.
By the end, they had to hang on to beat the Washington Wizards, 113-107, Monday night at Ball Arena in downtown Denver.
The Nuggets built a 29-22 lead after one quarter and then outscored the Wizards 30-19 in the second to take a 59-41 advantage at halftime.
But Washington would battle back, thanks in part to the ejection of Nuggets center Nikola Jokic with 6:09 to go in the fourth quarter. Jokic received double technical fouls after a couple of run-ins with Wizards guard Spencer Dinwiddie on each end of the floor.
At the time Jokic got tossed, the Nuggets were up 103-85. Washington promptly went on a 15-4 run to get the deficit to 107-100 with 1:09 remaining.
But Nuggets responded by hitting six free throws down the stretch, four by Facundo Campazzo, to hold on and get their third win in the last four games.
Washington had a 37-22 scoring advantage in the final quarter.
Despite the ejection, Jokic scored 28 points and added 19 rebounds and nine assists. Monte Morris added 22 points, six boards and five assists.
The Nuggets are back on the court at Ball Arena on Wednesday, December 15 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. MST.
Postgame comments from Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
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Postgame comments from Nuggets guard Monte Morris.
Postgame comments from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.