Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray spearheaded the Denver Nuggets to a 134-121 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. Jokic posted 37 points, while Murray tallied 34, including a decisive third-quarter surge, to lift Denver (17-13) to their sixth win in the second game of a back-to-back this season.
Michael Porter Jr. added 26 points, helping Denver capitalize on an 18-4 run before halftime to secure the lead. The Nuggets opened a 25-point advantage by the end of the third, with Murray scoring 12 points in the final two minutes and 27 seconds of the period, marking his first 30-point game this season.
Detroit (14-18), led by Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey with 17 points each, staged a fourth-quarter rally. With the Nuggets’ starters on the bench, the Pistons cut the deficit to 10 points. Ronald Holland’s late three-pointer forced Denver coach Michael Malone to reinsert his key players. Jokic sealed the win with six consecutive points down the stretch.
Denver’s defense rebounded from a poor showing the previous night against Cleveland, where they allowed 149 points. Against Detroit, the Nuggets held the Pistons to 61 first-half points and managed a crucial defensive stand when needed most.
For Denver, Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook chipped in with solid performances. Braun tallied 10 points, while Westbrook recorded eight points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Jokic’s all-around brilliance included nine rebounds and eight assists, demonstrating why he remains one of the league’s most versatile players.
Denver showcased efficiency, shooting 56.1% from the field and 48.1% from beyond the arc. The Pistons, despite their efforts, struggled to match Denver’s offensive firepower, shooting 48.4% overall and just 30.8% from three-point range.