Nikola Jokic continues to be his superstar self.
Sunday night against the Pistons, Jokic barely missed out on another triple-double in the Nuggets 117-111 win over the Detroit Pistons at Ball Arena.
Jokic had 34 points nine rebounds and eight assists in leading the Nuggets to their fourth win in their siz-game homestand.
Center DeMarcus Cousins, whom the Nuggets signed to a 10-day contract last Friday, made his Denver debut. The numbers were not great -- 12 minutes, two points, 1-7 from the field and six rebounds -- but it was his first game action since January 5 when he was with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Nuggets and Pistons were tied at halftime but Denver took control in the third quarter and outscored Detroit 32-16. The Pistons battled back in the fourth quarter but the Nuggets held on.
Will Barton's huge three-pointer stretched the Nuggets lead to 109-104 with 2:44 left.
The Pistons tied the game at 111 with 1:15 to go but Jokic hit four straight free throws ad Monte Morris hit a pair to give the Nuggets the margin of victory.
Barton had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Austin Rivers added 11 points for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets open a six-game road trip at Detroit on Tuesday, January 25 at 5 p.m. MST.
Postgame comments from Nuggets center DeMarcus Cousins.
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Postgame comments from Nuggets guard Austin Rivers.
Postgame comments from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.