By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After a disappointing two-point loss against the Los Angeles Clippers several days ago, the Denver Nuggets scored a morale-boosting bounce back win over the Atlanta Hawks, 142-110, to re-enter the NBA winning column on April 7, 2024.
It was a masterclass for the Nuggets as the reigning NBA champions outscored the Hawks in all four quarters and started to pull away in the second quarter.
From only a seven-point lead after the first quarter, the Nuggets stepped on the gas pedal in the second frame to enter the second half with a 13-point lead, 69-56.
Just when Atlanta thought that their double-team coverage on Nikola Jokic would solve the problem in the second half, the Nuggets showed that they were prepared for the situation and switched their superstar from a scorer to a facilitator.
The result then paid off dividends for the Nuggets as five other players reached the double-digit scoring mark led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who top-scored Denver with 24 big points built from an efficient 9/12 shooting from the field.
Jokic on the other hand scored another triple-double after tallying 19 markers, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, and two steals.
Michael Porter Jr. was also in the zone against the Hawks and sank four trifectas to end up with 20 points, three boards, two dimes, and a steal.
Meanwhile, the returning Jamal Murray was spectacular in his comeback performance and chipped in 16 points, six assists, three boards, and a block.
It was in the third quarter when the Nuggets officially fended the Hawks off after scoring 42 points in just the frame alone, increasing their cushion to 25 points heading into the final canto.
The Nuggets will take a much-needed two-day rest before resuming their NBA campaign on April 10, 2024, against the Utah Jazz.
