Nuggets-Spurs Grades: Jokic makes a triple-double look easy

The Denver Nuggets defeated the San Antonio Spurs 117-109 on Tuesday at Pepsi Center. Denver outscored San Antonio 30-19 in the fourth quarter, dominating the final 12 minutes of play.

Here’s how each player performed.

Will Barton (A) — Barton has been so much better since Nuggets coach Michael Malone relieved him of backup point guard duties. In Tuesday’s game, he scored 20 points on 9-19 shooting, grabbed five rebounds and assisted six baskets. He was a plus-15 in 43 minutes of floor time.

Jamal Murray (A-) — Murray was clearly laboring during the game. He was experiencing chest pain, the team said, and it made it difficult for him to breath. He still managed to score 17 points on only nine shots. The Blue Arrow can fill it up even when he’s not close to 100 percent.

Gary Harris (B) — So-so night for Harris shooting the ball. He went 7-17 from the field and 1-3 on threes. He finished with 15 points. He didn’t do anything terribly flashy. He didn’t make many mistakes either.

Wilson Chandler (A) — What’s gotten into Chandler in these last two games? He scored a season-high 26 points in Phoenix on Saturday then turned around and had a 17-point, eight-rebound, five-assist performance against San Antonio. Chandler shot the ball 19 times — by far the most he’s gotten off in a game this year. He’s looked like a new player since the trade deadline.

Nikola Jokic (A) — Few players in the NBA make brilliance look as effortless as Jokic. He pieced together yet another triple-double — 23 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists.

“He’s got one of those George Gervin paces about him, you know,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “He looks like he’s just kind of waltzing around and that kind of thing. But he’s so skilled. He can shoot it. He passes. He’s just a very smart player.”

Devin Harris (B-) — The other Harris was the first player off Denver’s bench in his second game as a Nugget. He played many of his minutes in three-guard lineups. He got to the free-throw line four times and scored seven. His defense left a lot to be desired, though.

Trey Lyles (B) — It’s fun when Lyles makes his mind up about throwing down a dunk. It happened again in the second quarter Tuesday when Lyles drove baseline, took one dribble and stuffed one. The dunk accounted for two of Lyles’ 11 points. He’s developed into a near lock for double-digit points off the bench.

Malik Beasley (C) — Torrey Craig wasn’t active, so Beasley ate up his minutes. Beasley only got up two shots in 13 minutes of floor time. He’s a solid defender, but he has a ways to go on the offensive end.