Nikola Jokic's game-winner lifts Nuggets past Heat

MIAMI — Forty minutes on the second night of a back to back? No problem for Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets’ big man received the ball in the paint from Jamal Murray with under five seconds remaining in regulation and calmly converted a driving floater to put Denver up two points. The Nuggets hung on to win 103-99 — their 27th victory of the season.

It was Jokic’s 28th and 29th points of the evening as the MVP candidate turned in his fourth triple-double of the season. Jokic also finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Denver also got big performances from Torrey Craig (11 points, 16 rebounds, 6 offensive rebounds) and Trey Lyles (15 points on 6-8 shooting) off the bench in the win. They were much needed as the Nuggets were without starting shooting guard Gary Harris, who missed Tuesday’s game with a hamstring injury he suffered Monday in Houston.

Elsewhere for Denver, Jamal Murray added 18 points on 7-19 shooting. Malik Beasley got his first start of the season for Harris and chipped in nine points on 4-9 shooting.

Not a bad performance from Denver considering the Nuggets rolled into town at 4 a.m.