Nuggets-Bulls Instant Reactions: Nikola Jokić Sets a New Season High

The Denver Nuggets welcomed Cam Johnson back to the starting lineup as they took on the makeshift Bulls in Chicago. The Bulls, who were particularly busy at the deadline, debuted several new players in the starting lineup. They were also severely undersized against Denver.

The Nuggets got out to an early lead but looked disinterested from there, taking their foot off the gas and turning in a lazy defensive effort. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that they floored it, finally separating with a 20-2 run. They’d eventually win by double-digits.

Final score: 136-120

Dynamic Duo Moving the Ball

The Nuggets got off to a great start offensively, moving off the ball and making the extra pass. They recorded an assist on 11 of their first 14 field goals, with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray combining for nine assists in just the first quarter.

By halftime, the Nuggets had posted 16 assists and made 20 field goals — 13 of those assists belonged to either Jokić or Murray. Denver finished with 37 on the night, and 28 belonged to their dynamic duo.

Nuggets Disinterested on Defense

The Nuggets offered little resistance against an undersized group of players who had just met each other. Denver was a single-effort team, routinely deflecting passes while failing to corral the loose ball. Time and time again, they stood and watched as a potential steal turned into a second chance. Eventually, they stopped making the initial effort, too.

The Bulls posted 65 points in the first half while shooting 45% from the field and 42% from three. Denver improved its effort in the second half, and eventually, the Bulls cooled off from the perimeter.

Nikola Jokić Dominates

Jokić passed Oscar Robertson for sole possession of second place on the all-time triple-doubles leaderboard. The Nuggets dominated with Jokić on the floor, swinging back and forth from strong runs alongside him to brutal lapses without him. Like the Jokić rosters of old, the big fella posted an insane plus/minus (+36) while the bench drowned. Jonas Valanciunas finished -15 in the plus/minus column.

Jokić finished with 22-14-17, and the wildest part was that he virtually never broke a sweat. The offense was just too easy for him, spoonfeeding teammates at the rim while standing flatfooted. Jokić set a new season high with 17 assists.

Jamal Murray Exits Early

Murray checked out of the game and went back to the locker room at the 4:05 mark in the fourth. He did not return.