Paul Millsap's tip-in lifts Nuggets past Bulls, to best start since 1985-86 season

Paul Millsap is always in the right place at the right time on the defensive end of the floor, ready to come over from the weakside and turn away an opponent’s shot at the rim at a moment’s notice. Wednesday night in Chicago, his timely positioning on offense helped the Nuggets to a come-from-behind victory.

Millsap’s tip-in with 0.1 seconds remaining in overtime gave the Nuggets a 108-107 win over the Bulls. It’s Denver’s second road win of the season and its sixth victory overall. It’s also the first time the Nuggets have started a season 6-1 since the 1985-86 season.

Denver led Chicago 51-48 at halftime and by two points after three quarters. But the Nuggets’ offense went cold in the fourth quarter, particularly their three-point shooting. And the Bulls took advantage.

Denver shot 9-23 from the field and 0-6 from three in the fourth, and a four-minute scoring drought midway through the period helped Chicago rattle off an 11-2 run. But the Nuggets answered back behind two clutch baskets from Nikola Jokic, warming the hearts of the pro-Serbian contingent watching him in Chicago. Back-to-back defensive plays from Millsap late in regulation forced overtime.

The Jokic supporters in attendance at United Center got a treat in the extra period, as Jokic scored eight of Denver’s 10 points. The Nuggets found their big man on their final possession of overtime and gave him the ball with a chance for the win. Millsap was in position for the tip-in when Jokic’s shot clanged off the iron.

The Nuggets have beaten the Bulls five straight times.

Gary Harris chipped in 16 points, 14 of which came in the first half. Jokic finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Millsap added 19 points and six rebounds, his second-straight double-digit scoring outing. Mason Plumlee had a standout game off Denver’s bench, finishing with 13 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Torrey Craig, who had four rebounds (three offensive) and Trey Lyles (10 rebounds) helped the Nuggets outrebound the Bulls 56-43.

Zach LaVine led Chicago with 28 points.