The Nuggets had to work overtime for the second time in as many nights.
Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 144-139 overtime win Tuesday in Brooklyn.
Nuggets vs. Raptors: 3 takeaways from Denver’s first win of season
1. Nikola Jokic should be the early-season favorite for most valuable player after a fourth straight game with either 40 points or a triple-double to start the season. Tuesday, Jokic dropped 29 points on 16 shots. He was also an incredibly efficient playmaker, registering 16 assists against a single turnover. He also grabbed 18 rebounds, six on the offensive glass, in his best showing of the season. With 13 assists and one rebound in Friday’s game, Jokic will be averaging a triple-double through five games to start the season.
2. That’s the Russell Westbrook everyone heard about throughout the preseason. The veteran point guard enjoyed by far his best game in a Nuggets uniform so far. He scored 22 points on the back of a 2-2 mark from 3-point range and a perfect 10 for 10 at the free-throw line. He totaled 17 points on 25 shots across his first three games with the Nuggets. Westbrook was also awarded the team’s Defensive Player of the Game chain following the win. Life for the rest of the reserves gets a lot easier when Westbrook is playing like that, as he recorded five assists and just one turnover in 21 minutes against the Nets.
A look at Michael Porter Jr.’s early-season shooting slump; Nuggets need more from Russell Westbrook | NBA Insider
3.Christian Braun could hardly be doing a better job as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s replacement. The defense has been as expected, if not better. He’s totaled multiple combined steals and blocks in all four games while taking on the challenge of guarding the opponent’s most dangerous perimeter scorer. Offensively, Braun has continued to shoot with confidence, one of coach Michael Malone’s requests throughout the preseason. The third-year wing has scored 11 or more points in all four games, and he’s 4 for 11 from 3 to start the season. He took a big 3 without hesitation Monday even though he missed. He didn’t waver Tuesday, confidently taking and making a 3 that put Denver up six with a little more than a minute left in overtime.
NUGGETS 144, NETS 139 OT
What happened: A 40-point first quarter helped the Nets to a 13-point lead to start the second. Brooklyn led 72-63 at halftime before Denver closed within three to start the fourth. A Nikola Jokic basket with nine seconds left forced overtime, and Denver won the extra period 19-14 for a second consecutive overtime win.
What went right: The Nuggets shot the 3 well for a second consecutive game. Denver went 13 of 27 from 3-point range, led by Michael Porter Jr.’s 4-for-7 mark. Christian Braun went 2 for 3, while Russell Westbrook made both of his attempts. Brooklyn finished 20 for 52.
What went wrong: Denver struggled to contain Dennis Schroder. Brooklyn’s starting point guard made 10 of the 18 shots he attempted for a team-high 28 points. He also dished out 14 assists against three turnovers.
Highlight of the night: Jokic is often the one throwing touchdown passes on the basketball court. The roles reversed early in the third quarter. Aaron Gordon took the ball out after a made basket and quickly threw a pass the length of the court to Jokic. It looked like last season’s MVP was going up for a dunk, but he was foul. He managed to adjust for a three-point play.
Up next: The Nuggets have a couple of days off to recover before concluding the three-game road trip Friday in Minnesota.
