LOS ANGELES — The Denver Nuggets have been on the road for the last eight days. They looked like it Tuesday, at least for the first half.
In their second preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Nuggets missed their first 12 three-point attempts and didn’t convert from beyond the arc until the 2:53 mark of the second quarter. But Denver rebounded in the third quarter to come from 18 down to draw to within six points heading to the fourth before pulling out a 113-111 victory.
One of the bright spots for Denver among its regulars was Nikola Jokic. After tallying 14 points against these same Lakers on Sunday, Jokic finished with 20 points in just 23 minutes Tuesday. He was efficient too, hitting seven of his 10 shots from the field and both of his three-point attempts. Backup center Mason Plumlee also had a standout performance, finishing with a game-high 23 points on a perfect 11-11 shooting.
Monte Morris started at point guard for Denver after Jamal Murray, who battled an ankle injury throughout training camp and then came up hobbling after a dunk Sunday, was a late scratch. Morris played well, finishing with 12 points on 5-12 shooting to go with four rebounds and four assists. More importantly, Morris recorded just one turnover. It was a second strong showing for Morris, who would begin the regular season as the Nuggets backup point guard if Isaiah Thomas isn’t ready to return from hip surgery.
Murray wasn’t listed on the Nuggets’ official injury report prior to Tuesday’s matchup, and Michael Malone decided to hold him out shortly before the opening tip.
In his second appearance in a Lakers’ uniform, LeBron James played 15 minutes and finished with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Elsewhere for Denver, Will Barton struggled, going 1-12 from the field for six points. Torrey Craig started a second-straight game in place of Gary Harris (hamstring) and went 2-9 from the field on his way to eight points. Malik Beasley had another strong performance off the bench scoring 15 points.
The Nuggets return home for their third preseason matchup Friday at Pepsi Center against the Perth Wildcats.
