DENVER | Michael Porter Jr. has the inexperienced mild to not solely shoot however go to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, each time he needs. His coach will even choose up the tab.
Porter has been on an offensive roll since his fast journey to Mexico for slightly relaxation and rest over the All-Star break.
The versatile Denver ahead had one other sensational taking pictures night time on his technique to 31 factors, Nikola Jokic notched his twenty second triple-double of the season and the Nuggets held off the New York Knicks for a 113-100 win Thursday night time.
Porter was 13 of 16 from the sphere — together with a cross to himself off the glass for a dunk — and a pair of of two from the free-throw line. Porter additionally had three 3-pointers to present him 193 for the season and break Dale Ellis’ single-season workforce mark of 192 set in 1996-97.
“I advised him simply now, ‘Go to Cabo everytime you need. I’ll pay for it,’” Nuggets coach Michael Malone cracked.
The time within the solar was enjoyable, however Porter stated the rationale for his scoring wasn’t a lot the journey as tweaks he’s included into his recreation.
“However Cabo was a terrific break,” stated Porter, who attributed breaking the workforce’s 3-point mark to being wholesome and enjoying in a career-high 69 video games this season. “I wanted it for positive.”
Jokic completed with 30 factors, 14 rebounds and 11 assists because the reigning champion Nuggets improved to 13-2 because the All-Star break and climbed inside proportion factors of first place within the Western Convention.
“We’re enjoying at a excessive degree,” Malone stated. “The problem is with 12 (video games) to go can we proceed to maintain this up and keep wholesome whereas doing so? Our gamers deserve a lot credit score for his or her mindset and method each single night time.”
Jamal Murray added 23 factors earlier than limping off the ground with slightly below a minute remaining after hurting his ankle. The Nuggets have been extremely centered for this recreation following a 38-point loss to the Knicks on Jan 25 at Madison Sq. Backyard, Denver’s most lopsided lack of the season.
Denver led by 12 heading into the fourth quarter, however the Knicks trimmed it to 90-88 with 8:19 remaining. The Nuggets rapidly inserted the starters and put the brakes on the comeback bid.
Jalen Brunson scored 26 factors and Isaiah Hartenstein had 20 for the Knicks, whose four-game profitable streak got here to a halt. New York’s reserves outscored Denver’s bench by a 30-13 margin.
“They only made a pair extra performs than us tonight,” stated Brunson, whose workforce completed 3-1 on their journey out West. “I assumed we performed onerous. We simply didn’t get the job performed.”
Donte DiVincenzo knocked down three 3-pointers to present him 219, which is the second-most for a season in Knicks historical past. Evan Fournier set the workforce document with 241 in 2021-22.
Jokic almost had a triple-double by halftime with 16 factors, 9 rebounds and 10 assists.
Earlier than the sport, Knicks coach Coach Tom Thibodeau heaped reward on the two-time NBA MVP. Thibodeau, together with the remainder of the league, is attempting to determine whether or not it’s finest to remove Jokic’s jumper or his courtroom imaginative and prescient.
Nobody has a solution.
Jokic had a shot within the fourth quarter hit off the highest of the backboard and go in. He additionally winged a cross over his shoulder to the nook that arrange Porter for 3-pointer within the third quarter.
“He’s an MVP for a purpose,” Brunson stated.
The banged-up Knicks proceed to be with out OG Anunoby (proper elbow), Julius Randle (proper shoulder) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle). Thibodeau stated earlier than the sport that Anunoby stays day-to-day. Requested if he was involved the clock was beginning to run out to get Randle wholesome, Thibodeau responded: “Management what you’ll be able to management. … Simply preserve working at it. You by no means know when it turns. That’s the best way we’ve got to method it.”
UP NEXT
Knicks: Host Brooklyn on Saturday night time.
Nuggets: At Portland on Saturday night time.