(MY) Michael Porter Jr. makes history in Nuggets win over Knicks

On a night that Michael Porter Jr. made Nuggets history, Denver got the win against the New York Knicks.

How Michael Malone was able to lead the Nuggets to their first NBA championship - The Boston Globe

The Nuggets beat the Knicks, 113-100, on Thursday night. The Knicks fought and fought and fought but ultimately couldn’t overcome the firepower of Denver’s Big 3: Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Porter Jr.

“They’re the number one offensive rebounding team in the league, and to only give them four offensive rebounds is a testament to our guys being locked in, engaged and having a physical mindset,” said head coach Michael Mlaone. “That’s a good team. They’ve won four in a row.”

Porter Jr. finished with 31 points on a ridiculously efficient 13-of-16 shooting line. He also became the Nuggets single-season leader for three-pointers made with 193 in total. MPJ’s had four 30-point games this season, three of which have been after the All-Star break.

“Go to Cabo whenever you want. I’ll pay for it,” Malone jokingly said to Porter Jr. after the win, who spent his All-Star break in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Nikola Jokić had a casual but thoroughly impressive triple-double of 30 points, 11 assists, and 14 rebounds. This was his 22nd of the season and the 127th triple-double of his career.

“He’s an MVP candidate every year for reason,” Malone said.

Round things out, Jamal Murray turned in 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting.

“I though Jamal Murray had a couple of great passes,” said Malone.

That trio got to work right away. Porter Jr. had 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the first half. Murray had 17 points on 7-of-12 from the field in 15 minutes. Jokić nearly recorded his triple-double in the first half with 16 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. He threw one of his best passes of the season to spur a 19-8 run and give the Nuggets a 61-56 lead at the break.

The third quarter was a highlight-fest. Porter Jr. threw a pass off the backboard to himself for a huge dunk. Jokić tossed yet another unbelievable no-look pass. This helped the Nuggets go on a 12-4 run and build a 12-point lead.

The Knicks made it a game in the fourth quarter by going on a 12-4 run, but then Denver’s starters checked in and steadied things. Jokić hit an insane circus shot, and that got Denver going; they quickly turned a 6-point lead into a 12-point advantage to put the game out of reach for the Knicks.