Jokic scores 34 points, Nuggets beat Pistons 117-111

DENVER (AP) —

Nikola Jokic scored 34 factors, together with 4 free throws within the closing seconds, and the Denver Nuggets held on to beat the Detroit Pistons 117-111 Sunday night time.

Jokic additionally had 9 rebounds and eight assists, simply lacking a fifth straight triple double. Will Barton had 14 factors and Aaron Gordon added 13 factors for the Nuggets, who went 4-2 on a six-game homestand.

Isaiah Stewart, Cade Cunningham, Cory Joseph and Trey Lyles every scored 18 factors for the Pistons, who've misplaced 4 of 5. “Detroit performed arduous and so they gave us a problem however we pulled it out,” mentioned Austin Rivers, who completed with 11 factors. “They’ve bought younger, gifted gamers. They’re attempting to enhance. You'll be able to’t simply go in there and sleep on a bunch of execs. They’re enjoying free. They’re enjoying free and so they’re harmful. Give them credit score.”

After a 3-pointer by Cunningham pulled Detroit to 75-73 with 3:57 remaining within the third quarter, Davon Reed and Facundo Campazzo hit successive 3’s to start out a 17-3 run that allowed the Nuggets to take a 92-76 lead into the fourth.

Once more, the Pistons rallied. Lyles transformed successive three-point performs and Detroit pulled to 94-90 halfway by the quarter. The sport remained tight within the closing minutes and Joseph’s jumper with 1:45 left evened the rating at 109-all.

Jokic made a pair of free throws with 40.3 seconds left to provide the Nuggets a two-point edge. After a Detroit turnover, Jokic was fouled on a drive to the basket with 17.7 seconds remaining and transformed two extra free throws.

An offensive foul on Joseph resulted in one other turnover with 8.8 seconds left and the Pistons fouled Monte Morris, who made each free throws for the ultimate margin. Detroit coach Dwane Casey lamented the late-game turnovers which took the ball out of the Pistons’ palms with out placing up a shot.

“We’ve bought to worth the ball, and proper now we’re not valuing the ball ,” he mentioned. “These add up. We’ve bought to take each play as if it’s the final play of the sport. Till we develop up and try this, we’re going to be unhappy loads this yr.”

The Pistons trailed by 10 late within the second quarter however step by step lower into the deficit and tied it at 60-all on the intermission on Cunningham’s pullup jumper that beat the halftime buzzer.

Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon, left, drives previous Detroit Pistons ahead Saddiq Bey within the first half of an NBA basketball sport Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Denver.

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DEMARCUS’ DEBUT

DeMarcus Cousins, signed to a 10-day contract Friday, made his Nuggets debut, enjoying 11:49 in reduction of Jokic. He had two factors and 6 rebounds. . “I didn’t have the perfect taking pictures efficiency however I made a few performs and the last word factor is we’ve bought to win,” mentioned Cousins, who was 1 of seven from the ground. “I’m simply attempting to come back out and have an effect any approach I can.”

TIP-INS

Pistons: F Kelly Olynyk has been sidelined once more, getting into the league’s well being and security protocols on Saturday. He performed impressively in two video games final week after getting back from a knee harm that had saved him out for 2 months.

Nuggets: F Jeff Inexperienced was held out of the sport due to a left quadriceps contusion. … F JaMychal Inexperienced stays sidelined as a result of league’s well being and security protocols. … G Bones Hyland didn't play due to non-COVID sickness.

UP NEXT

The Pistons and Nuggets full a home-and-home set Tuesday night time when the Nuggets open a six-game highway journey at Detroit.