Nikola Jokic’s third-consecutive triple-double leads Nuggets past Spurs 122-119

DENVER — The Nuggets have overcome injuries, late fourth-quarter meltdowns and everything in between this season. Tonight, Denver overcame a tough whistle and a pesky San Antonio Spurs team to win 122-119 — its fourth-straight victory and seventh win in its last eight tries.

Nikola Jokic registered his third consecutive triple-double, his 12th of the season and finished with 28 points on 10-16 shooting, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. He fouled out at the 1:46 mark of the fourth quarter on an offensive foul call.

Jokic is the first Nuggets’ player with three consecutive triple-doubles since Fat Lever in 1987.

His disqualification was a microcosm for an evening where the whistle didn’t go Denver’s way. The Nuggets were called for 27 fouls to the Spurs’ 20 and shot just 19 free-throws to San Antonio’s 39.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone and Jamal Murray were called for technical fouls with just under five minutes after an offensive foul call on a Gary Harris which led to two LaMarcus Aldridge free-throws. Aldridge split the pair to tie the game at 112 with 4:36 remaining.

But Denver hung on down the stretch. Elsewhere for the Nuggets, Gary Harris scored 23 points on 10-16 shooting. Wilson Chandler finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds.

The Nuggets host the Rockets on Sunday.