Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson (7) and guard Julian Strawther start to have a good time the staff’s 114-106 win over the Chicago Bulls late within the second half of an NBA basketball recreation Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Picture/Charles Rex Arbogast)
CHICAGO — Nikola Jokic was ejected within the second quarter. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was held out within the second half after a collision with Nikola Vucevic. Jamal Murray didn’t play in any respect.
The remainder of the Denver Nuggets picked up the slack.
Reggie Jackson scored 25 factors and short-handed Denver held off the Chicago Bulls for a 114-106 victory within the NBA on Tuesday evening.
“Now we have an expectation to win the sport irrespective of who’s enjoying,” coach Michael Malone mentioned.
Michael Porter Jr. had 17 factors and Aaron Gordon completed with 14 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists, serving to Denver to a gritty second straight win after a 129-122 victory at Atlanta on Monday evening. Julian Strawther added 16 factors.
Jackson made 5 3-pointers because the reigning NBA champions went 14 for 30 from behind the arc. The Nuggets additionally beat the Bulls 123-101 in Denver on Nov. 4.
“The protection was the place it was imagined to be and the fellows executed,” Jokic mentioned. “We had a pair guys step up in a distinct place in the present day. … It’s a very good win for us.”
Jokic was thrown out for the language he directed towards an official after he felt he was fouled when he missed a reverse layup with 1:12 left within the first half. The 2-time NBA MVP mentioned one thing within the course of a referee as he made his manner again down the courtroom.
Jokic was promptly whistled for a technical and thrown out by official Mousa Dagher.
“I crossed the road, however generally that phrase doesn’t cross the road,” Jokic mentioned.
Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after he was ejected from the sport by referee Mousa Dagher #28 (not pictured) in opposition to the Chicago Bulls in the course of the first half on the United Middle on December 12, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs/AFP
Jokic declined to get into additional particulars as a result of he wished to keep away from a high quality by the NBA. Mark Lindsay, the crew chief for the referee crew, additionally was imprecise when requested concerning the trade.
“We don’t sometimes publicly get into precisely what a participant mentioned, however the language reached the usual for an ejection,” Lindsay informed a pool reporter.
Coby White led Chicago with 27 factors, persevering with his scorching streak. Vucevic completed with 26 factors and 16 rebounds.
“It was proper there. … The second half, they took it to us, and from there it was simply troublesome to get again within the recreation,” Vucevic mentioned.
The Bulls had been coming off a 133-129 time beyond regulation loss at Milwaukee on Monday evening that stopped a four-game win streak.
White went 8 for 15 from the ground, together with a 5-for-10 efficiency from 3-point vary. He’s averaging 26.8 factors in his final 5 video games.
Chicago pulled inside 5 on Ayo Dosunmu’s jumper with 1:47 left within the third quarter, however Strawther made a 3-pointer and two foul pictures to assist Denver carry a 92-80 lead into the ultimate interval.
The Nuggets stayed in management all through the fourth. Gordon’s 3 made it 109-96 with 3:20 left.
“It appeared like when Jokic went out, it was like all proper, all of them stepped up with confidence,” White mentioned.
Already enjoying with out Zach LaVine resulting from proper foot irritation, the Bulls rested Alex Caruso for the second straight recreation due to a sprained left ankle. However coach Billy Donovan made it sound as if Caruso may return quickly.
“The truth that he’s even occurring the courtroom to attempt to get himself able to play I believe would point out that he’s fairly near being again,” Donovan mentioned. “It’s simply how a lot he looks like he can do.”
The Nuggets performed with out Murray, who had 29 factors and 9 rebounds in Monday evening’s win. Murray has been coping with a sore proper ankle, and he rolled his left ankle within the first quarter in opposition to the Hawks.
NEXT SCHEDULE FOR NUGGETS, BULLS
Nuggets: Open a three-game homestand Thursday evening in opposition to Brooklyn.
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Bulls: At Miami on Thursday evening and Saturday evening.