Nuggets-Pistons Grades: Jokic and Murray get the job done

The Denver Nuggets nearly squandered a massive lead (again) but held on to beat the Detroit Pistons 120-113. The Nuggets got up by as many as 26 points late in the third quarter, but they still had to sweat out a win.

Here’s how every Nuggets played fared in the win over the Pistons.

*Our game grades are dictated by our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR), which take into account 12 different statistical factors.

Nikola Jokic (A-) 82.44 — Just another day at the office for the Serbian, who finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He recorded his eight triple-double of the season. Denver outscored Detroit by 15 with him on the floor.

Wilson Chandler (D) 38.07 — Chandler played a team-high 40 minutes but didn’t manage to score a point. He had an off night after going for 26 in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He missed all six shots he took but did grab eight rebounds and hand out five assists.

Paul Millsap (C) 55.06 — Millsap was solid but not spectacular. He scored 14 points on 6-12 shooting. His counting numbers weren’t eye-popping, but he did a nice job of blending in next to Jokic. The duo’s chemistry continues to improve.

Gary Harris (C) 53.42 — Harris shot 5-7 from the field and was his usual efficient self around the bucket. He converted an and-one dunk in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for Denver, he landed awkwardly on the play and had to leave the game. He’s scheduled to have an MRI today.

Jamal Murray (B+) 73.16 — Few players in the NBA heat up in a hurry like Murray. The second-year guard poured in 15 of his team-high 26 points in the third quarter. The rim seems to turns into a hula hoop when he’s rolling.

Mason Plumlee (D) 40.12 — Plumlee didn’t make much of an impact in 12 minutes on the floor. He attempted two shots and made one. Denver’s bench unit was excellent in the first half but allowed Detroit to get back into the game in the second half.

Will Barton (B-) 65.43 — Denver’s sixth man rebounded from one of his worst games of the season in Los Angeles to score 23 points against Detroit. Barton did it efficiently (8-16 FG), although he did commit four turnovers.

Devin Harris (C+) 59.80 — Harris — the other Harris — was chucking in the first half. He attempted five shots and got to the free throw line five times in the first two quarters. He wound up with 12 points in 15 minutes. Harris does a nice job of drawing fouls.

Trey Lyles (C+) 59.88 — Nuggets coach Michael Malone has struggled to find minutes for Lyles since Millsap returned, but Lyles got into the game Thursday because of Denver’s supersized frontcourt. He played 11 minutes and scored nine points.