Nikola Jokic powered Denver past Toronto after the Nuggets erased a halftime deficit with a decisive third-quarter surge.
Denver defeated Toronto 128-109 on Wednesday, Nov. 4, with the game finishing earlier today. The Raptors led 67-64 at halftime, but Denver outscored them 41-15 in the third quarter to take a 105-82 lead. Nikola Jokic led the charge with 32 points on 13-of-19 shooting, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, no blocks and two turnovers. Aaron Gordon added 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, one rebound, no assists, two steals, one block and one turnover. Bryce Hopkins scored 18 on 6-of-7 shooting, with four rebounds, one assist, two steals, no blocks and two turnovers. Toronto’s RJ Barrett had 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, five rebounds, three assists, no steals, no blocks and no turnovers, while Scottie Barnes posted 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting, six rebounds, six assists, three steals, no blocks and five turnovers. Toronto won the fourth quarter 27-23, but Denver’s third-quarter breakaway carried the Nuggets to the 19-point win.
Key Performers
Nikola Jokic, Denver: 32 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST, 3 STL; 13/19 FG Bryce Hopkins, Denver: 18 PTS, 4 REB, 2 STL; 6/7 FG RJ Barrett, Toronto: 22 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST; 7/17 FG
Standings Impact
Denver improved from 3-3 to 4-3, while Toronto moved from 4-3 to 4-4. The listed power-index ranks are Toronto 13th and Denver 19th.
DYMA Insight
The swing was decisive: Denver turned a three-point halftime deficit into a 23-point lead after a 41-15 third quarter, with Jokic supplying 11 assists alongside his 32 points.