Game ID: 22500054
Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets
Friday, November 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 12 37 29 31 109DEN 25 21 34 32 112
DEN @ HOU ScoutingDEN @ HOU Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
HOU availability going into 11/12 · 2 days' restOUT Finney-Smith missed 9 since 10/21, out tonight
OUT Holiday missed 2 since 11/07, returns tonight: 3 min (25% of 14)
HOU availability going into 11/14 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 10 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 11/12 after 2, 3 min since (25% of 14)
NEW Okogie 17 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 11/16 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 11 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 11/12 after 2, 8 min since (61% of 14)
NEW Okogie 17 to 22 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 11/19 · 2 days' restOUT Finney-Smith missed 12 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 11/12 after 2, 11 min since (79% of 14)
HOU availability going into 11/21 · 1 day's restOUT Eason missed 2 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 13 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 11/12 after 2, 13 min since (95% of 14)
HOU availability going into 11/24 · 2 days' restOUT Eason missed 3 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 14 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 11/12 after 2, 13 min since (96% of 14)
HOU availability going into 11/26 · 1 day's restOUT Eason missed 4 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 15 since 10/21, out tonight
HOU availability going into 11/30 · 3 days' restOUT Durant missed 2 since 11/24, returns tonight: 30 min (82% of 36)
OUT Eason missed 5 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 16 since 10/21, out tonight
NEW Holiday 14 to 21 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/01 · back-to-backOUT Eason missed 6 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 17 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Durant back 11/30 after 2, 30 min since (82% of 36)
NEW Holiday 14 to 22 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 11/12 · back-to-backBACK Jones back 11/07 after 3, 12 min since (54% of 22)
BACK Pickett back 11/07 after 3, 11 min since (71% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 11/07 after 3, 4 min since (30% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/15 · 2 days' restBACK Jones back 11/07 after 3, 13 min since (59% of 22)
BACK Pickett back 11/07 after 3, 9 min since (55% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 11/07 after 3, 4 min since (30% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/17 · 1 day's restBACK Jones back 11/07 after 3, 14 min since (63% of 22)
BACK Pickett back 11/07 after 3, 9 min since (55% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 11/07 after 3, 4 min since (30% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/19 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 2 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 11/15, returns tonight: 27 min (224% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/21 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 3 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 2 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Nnaji back 11/19 after 2, 27 min since (224% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/22 · back-to-backOUT Braun missed 4 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 3 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Nnaji back 11/19 after 2, 27 min since (224% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/24 · 1 day's restOUT Braun missed 5 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 3 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 4 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 11/21, returns tonight: 15 min (123% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/28 · 3 days' restOUT Braun missed 6 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 2 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 4 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 5 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Nnaji back 11/19 after 2, 21 min since (173% of 12)
DEN availability going into 11/29 · back-to-backOUT Braun missed 7 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 3 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 5 since 11/19, returns tonight: 2 min (10% of 16)
OUT Strawther missed 6 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Nnaji back 11/19 after 2, 18 min since (154% of 12)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Sengun at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 16 a night. Without Eason (2 straight), Finney-Smith (13 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 106, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 30 free throws a game; Jokić at 36 and Murray at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Braun (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-16 a night and Denver plus-5 and the line, where Denver takes 30 free throws a game to Houston's 24. Call it Houston 118, Denver 112.
11/12 vs WAS 135-112 — HOU notes
HOU won 135-112. HOU shot 53% (51 of 96) to WAS's 46%, 17 of 35 from three. The glass went 53-37 for them. Durant led with 23 (7 of 16, 2 of 5 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Sheppard added 21, Eason 20. The hinge was Q2, 41-25: a lead of 11 became 27. Adams was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
11/14 vs POR 140-116 — HOU notes
HOU won 140-116. HOU shot 50% (53 of 106) to POR's 47%, 17 of 45 from three, and got to the line 20 times to POR's 27. HOU turned it over 6 times to POR's 20. Durant led with 30 (12 of 19, 3 of 6 from three); Sengun added 25, Smith Jr. 22. The hinge was Q4, 35-25: a lead of 14 became 24, and the lead reached 30. Durant was the night's best plus/minus at +37.
11/16 vs ORL 117-113 — HOU notes
HOU won 117-113 in 1 overtime. HOU shot 42% (42 of 100) to ORL's 42%, 8 of 20 from three. HOU turned it over 14 times to ORL's 8, and ORL turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 60-38 for them. Durant led with 35 (13 of 24, 2 of 8 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Sengun added 30, Sheppard 16. The hinge was Q3, 31-25: the deficit went from 9 to 3. HOU trailed 46-55 at the half and won the second half 71-58. Sheppard was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
11/19 @ CLE 114-104 — HOU notes
HOU won 114-104. HOU shot 46% (41 of 90) to CLE's 44%, 9 of 24 from three. The glass went 51-39 for them. Sengun led with 28 (10 of 17, 8 of 10 at the line); Durant added 20, Holiday 18. The hinge was Q1, 33-19: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 22. Smith Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +10.
11/21 vs DEN 109-112 — HOU notes
HOU lost 109-112. HOU took 17 more shots (93 to 76), fed by 18 offensive rebounds, but shot 44% to DEN's 53%, 14 of 36 from three, and got to the line 20 times to DEN's 27. Sheppard led with 27 (9 of 13, 5 of 8 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Thompson added 22, Smith Jr. 21. Q2 was theirs, 37-21, turning a 13-point deficit into a 3-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 91-72 against them. Sengun's -16 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/24 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brooks at 25 and Booker at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Allen (4 straight), Green (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 24 and Sengun at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Eason (3 straight), Finney-Smith (14 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Phoenix plus-4 and the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 15 times a game to Houston's 11. Call it Houston 117, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
11/26 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 116, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 28 and Butler III at 22 a game. Without Kuminga (6 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 24 and Sengun at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Eason (4 straight), Finney-Smith (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and Golden State minus-2 and the turnovers, Golden State giving it away 17 times a game to Houston's 12. Call it Houston 117, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.
11/30 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 129, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; George at 28 and Markkanen at 23 a game. Without Kessler (13 straight), Williams (2 straight), Harkless (4 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 104, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 23 and Sengun at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Durant (2 straight), Eason (5 straight), Finney-Smith (16 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 104 a night to Utah's 129 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and Utah plus-1. Call it Houston 120, Utah 114.
12/01 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 127, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; George at 21 and Markkanen at 20 a game. Without Kessler (14 straight), Williams (3 straight), Harkless (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sengun at 21 and Durant at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Eason (6 straight), Finney-Smith (17 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 102 a night to Utah's 127 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-8 a night and Utah minus-0. Call it Houston 120, Utah 112.
11/12 @ LAC 130-116 — DEN notes
DEN won 130-116. DEN shot 52% (44 of 84) to LAC's 49%, 13 of 34 from three, and went to the line 35 times to LAC's 19 — 29 points from the stripe to their 18. Jokić led with 55 (18 of 23, 5 of 6 from three, 14 of 16 at the line); Gordon added 18, Murray 15. The hinge was Q3, 43-22: DEN came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 16, and the lead reached 22. DEN trailed 63-68 at the half and won the second half 67-48. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
11/15 @ MIN 123-112 — DEN notes
DEN lost 55-60. DEN shot 47% (39 of 83) to MIN's 47%, 14 of 29 from three, and went to the line 38 times to MIN's 23 — 31 points from the stripe to their 20. Jokić led with 27 (8 of 15, 3 of 6 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Murray added 23, Gordon 23. Q3 was theirs, 0-0, but the other 3 periods went 60-55 against them. They led by as many as 14.
11/17 vs CHI 127-130 — DEN notes
DEN lost 127-130. DEN shot 47% (46 of 97) to CHI's 47%, 14 of 36 from three, and went to the line 25 times to CHI's 19 — 21 points from the stripe to their 15. Jokić led with 36 (13 of 27, 1 of 7 from three, 9 of 12 at the line); Murray added 34, Gordon 24. Q4 was theirs, 34-27, the deficit cut from 10 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 103-93 against them. Hardaway Jr.'s -21 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/19 @ NOP 125-118 — DEN notes
DEN won 125-118. DEN shot 55% (46 of 83) to NOP's 45%, 11 of 31 from three. DEN turned it over 20 times to NOP's 12, and NOP turned those into 12 steals. Watson led with 32 (13 of 19, 5 of 9 from three); Jokić added 28, Murray 16. The hinge was Q3, 35-25: a lead of 4 became 14, and the lead reached 19. Brown was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
11/21 @ HOU 112-109 — DEN notes
DEN won 112-109. DEN shot 53% (40 of 76) to HOU's 44%, 11 of 29 from three, and went to the line 27 times to HOU's 20 — 21 points from the stripe to their 13. Jokić led with 34 (11 of 20, 4 of 8 from three, 8 of 10 at the line); Murray added 26, Hardaway Jr. 12. The hinge was Q1, 25-12: from level to 13 ahead. DEN trailed 46-49 at the half and won the second half 66-60. Watson was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
11/22 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 107, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 30 free throws a game; Jokić at 36 and Murray at 23 a game. Without Braun (4 straight), Pickett (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sabonis at 21 and LaVine at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Sabonis (2 straight), Plowden (4 straight), Cardwell (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 107 a night to Sacramento's 126 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-1 a night and Sacramento minus-9. Call it Denver 120, Sacramento 107, Denver by 13.
11/24 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 108, shooting 40 percent and 28 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 21 and Aldama at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Jackson Jr. (2 straight), Morant (3 straight), Small (7 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jokić at 34 and Murray at 24 a game. Without Braun (5 straight), Pickett (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 40 percent from three to Memphis's 28 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-8 a night and Denver plus-0. Call it Denver 112, Memphis 111, Memphis keeping it close.
11/28 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 120, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 32 and Murray at 26 a game. Without Braun (6 straight), Gordon (2 straight), Pickett (4 straight). 3 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Fox at 29 and Barnes at 17 a game. Without Castle (4 straight), Wembanyama (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 110 a night to Denver's 120 and the arc, Denver at 41 percent from three to San Antonio's 36. Call it Denver 117, San Antonio 115, San Antonio keeping it close.
11/29 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brooks at 22 and Booker at 20 a game. Without Allen (7 straight), Green (10 straight), Dunn (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 122, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Murray at 26 a game. Without Braun (7 straight), Gordon (3 straight), Pickett (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to Denver's 122 and the arc, Denver at 41 percent from three to Phoenix's 36. Call it Phoenix 117, Denver 116, Denver keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
BB B. Brown
CJ C. Johnson
JM J. Murray
JV J. Valančiūnas
JO Jokic
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
SJ S. Jones
TH T. Hardaway Jr.
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CC C. Capela
JO J. Okogie
JS J. Smith Jr.
KD K. Durant
RS R. Sheppard
SA S. Adams
DEN/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
DEN @ HOU Possessions
|||
Q1Q2Q3Q4END11225:4310822:17+4-3:26
# Team Start Dur TOP PM PlayersEventsOffset
Q11 DEN Q1 12:00 17s 0:17+2AGA. GordonJMJ. MurrayJUMP M2.LW.110 172 HOU Q1 11:43 9s 0:09+2ATA. ThompsonM2.SO.1293 DEN Q1 11:34 15s 0:32+3JMJ. MurrayM3.SO.24154 HOU Q1 11:19 24s 0:33+2ASA. SengunM2.RM.02245 DEN Q1 10:55 18s 0:50CJC. JohnsonJMJ. MurrayFL X3.LW.250 176 HOU Q1 10:37 23s 0:56ASA. SengunJSJ. Smith Jr.DR X2.LC.100 217 DEN Q1 10:14 16s 1:06+1NJN. JokićAGA. GordonDENDEN — teamAGA. GordonDR X1 OR FT0 16 16 168 HOU Q1 09:58 16s 1:12JSJ. Smith Jr.SAS. AdamsHOUHOU — teamSAS. AdamsFL X1 OR X10 16 16 169 DEN Q1 09:42 20s 1:26CJC. JohnsonAGA. GordonAGA. GordonFL DR X3.LW.250 0 1910 HOU Q1 09:22 17s 1:29HOUHOU — teamATA. ThompsonDR X2.RM.030 1211 DEN Q1 09:05 3s 1:29+2JMJ. MurrayJMJ. MurrayPWP. WatsonDR AST M2.RM.010 3 312 HOU Q1 09:02 15s 1:44JSJ. Smith Jr.X3.RC.231313 DEN Q1 08:47 5s 1:34AGA. GordonAGA. GordonDR TO0 514 HOU Q1 08:42 18s 2:02ATA. ThompsonX3.RC.231615 DEN Q1 08:24 26s 2:00JMJ. MurrayNJN. JokićJVJ. ValančiūnasNJN. JokićNJN. JokićFL DR X3.SO.24 OR TO0 0 22 22 2616 HOU Q1 07:58 9s 2:11KDK. DurantASA. SengunSAS. AdamsKDK. DurantSTL X2.LW.21 OR X3.SO.250 4 5 917 DEN Q1 07:49 25s 2:25+3NJN. JokićTHT. Hardaway Jr.NJN. JokićTHT. Hardaway Jr.PWP. WatsonPWP. WatsonTHT. Hardaway Jr.DR X3.LC.23 OR X3.SO.25 OR AST M3.LW.260 6 9 11 15 25 2518 HOU Q1 07:24 24s 2:35KDK. DurantX2.SO.142319 DEN Q1 07:00 11s 2:36THT. Hardaway Jr.JVJ. ValančiūnasDR X2.LW.120 1120 HOU Q1 06:49 18s 2:53+2JSJ. Smith Jr.ATA. ThompsonSAS. AdamsKDK. DurantDR X2.SO.12 OR M2.SO.110 11 11 1821 DEN Q1 06:31 20s 2:56+2JOJokicJVJ. ValančiūnasAST M2.SO.0720 2022 HOU Q1 06:11 18s 3:11ASA. SengunX2.RW.221623 DEN Q1 05:53 5s 3:01PWP. WatsonPWP. WatsonDR TO0 524 HOU Q1 05:48 5s 3:16+2KDK. DurantKDK. DurantSTL M2.RM.020 525 DEN Q1 05:43 22s 3:23JMJ. MurrayX2.LC.151926 HOU Q1 05:21 1s 3:17ASA. SengunHOUHOU — teamJSJ. Smith Jr.JSJ. Smith Jr.FL TM DR TO0 0 0 127 DEN Q1 05:20 14s 3:37JVJ. ValančiūnasX2.LW.091328 HOU Q1 05:06 14s 3:31KDK. DurantCCC. CapelaDR X2.RW.070 1129 DEN Q1 04:52 1s 3:38JVJ. ValančiūnasJVJ. ValančiūnasNJN. JokićBLK DR TO0 0 130 HOU Q1 04:51 18s 3:49JSJ. Smith Jr.X2.RW.141731 DEN Q1 04:33 10s 3:48+3BBB. BrownNJN. JokićDR M3.LW.250 1032 HOU Q1 04:23 23s 4:12ASA. SengunX2.SO.172333 DEN Q1 04:00 10s 3:58PWP. WatsonNJN. JokićDR TO0 1034 HOU Q1 03:50 14s 4:26CCC. CapelaCCC. CapelaSTL X2.RM.020 1235 DEN Q1 03:36 4s 4:02+2THT. Hardaway Jr.THT. Hardaway Jr.PWP. WatsonDR AST M2.RM.010 4 436 HOU Q1 03:32 21s 4:47JSJ. Smith Jr.TO2137 DEN Q1 03:11 4s 4:06+1NJN. JokićPWP. WatsonDENDEN — teamPWP. WatsonSTL X1 OR FT0 4 4 438 HOU Q1 03:07 12s 4:59ATA. ThompsonRSR. SheppardFL TO0 1239 DEN Q1 02:55 12s 4:18+1BBB. BrownDENDEN — teamNJN. JokićDENDEN — teamNJN. JokićSTL TM X1 OR FT0 12 12 12 1240 HOU Q1 02:43 21s 5:20JOJ. OkogieKDK. DurantJSJ. Smith Jr.JSJ. Smith Jr.FL X2.RW.19 OR X2.RM.010 20 21 2141 DEN Q1 02:22 35s 4:53+1DENDEN — teamNJN. JokićSJS. JonesPWP. WatsonPWP. WatsonPWP. WatsonNJN. JokićNJN. JokićNJN. JokićNJN. JokićDENDEN — teamNJN. JokićDR X2.LW.10 OR X2.SO.08 OR X2.RM.01 OR X2 OR X1 OR FT0 18 20 30 34 34 35 35 35 35 35 3542 HOU Q1 01:47 17s 5:37+2JSJ. Smith Jr.JSJ. Smith Jr.RSR. SheppardKDK. DurantBLK FL AST M2.RW.130 0 17 1743 DEN Q1 01:30 18s 5:11+2BBB. BrownNJN. JokićAST M2.SO.0818 1844 HOU Q1 01:12 20s 5:56+2ASA. SengunRSR. SheppardAST M2.RW.0820 2045 DEN Q1 00:52 11s 5:22THT. Hardaway Jr.X3.LW.251046 HOU Q1 00:41 12s 6:09KDK. DurantKDK. DurantDR TO0 1247 DEN Q1 00:29 3s 5:26+2NJN. JokićJOJokicBBB. BrownSTL AST M2.RM.020 4 448 HOU Q1 00:25 24s 6:33JOJ. OkogieATA. ThompsonATA. ThompsonASA. SengunASA. SengunHOUHOU — teamHOUHOU — teamX3.RC.24 OR X2.RM.04 OR X2.LW.16 OR TO20 22 24 25 25 25 2549 DEN Q1 00:01 2s 5:27DENDEN — teamDENDEN — teamHE OR1 1Q250 HOU Q2 12:00 21s 6:54+3RSR. SheppardHOUHOU — teamRSR. SheppardX3.LW.25 OR M3.SO.2614 16 2151 DEN Q2 11:39 27s 5:54SJS. JonesJMJ. MurrayCJC. JohnsonCJC. JohnsonFL X3.LW.25 OR X2.RW.210 20 21 2552 HOU Q2 11:12 6s 7:00+1ASA. SengunASA. SengunDR FT0 653 DEN Q2 11:06 0s 5:54SJS. Jones │ SAS. AdamsFL │ TO054 DEN Q2 11:06 33s 6:27CJC. JohnsonSJS. JonesBBB. BrownCJC. JohnsonCJC. JohnsonX3.RW.25 OR X2.RW.10 OR TO13 15 31 32 3355 HOU Q2 10:33 20s 7:20RSR. SheppardATA. ThompsonSTL TO0 2056 DEN Q2 10:13 15s 6:42BBB. BrownCJC. JohnsonSTL X2.RC.210 1257 HOU Q2 09:58 15s 7:35SAS. AdamsAHA. HolidaySAS. AdamsASA. SengunDR X3.LW.27 OR TO0 4 7 1558 DEN Q2 09:43 4s 6:46+2BBB. BrownBBB. BrownJMJ. MurraySTL AST M2.RM.020 4 459 HOU Q2 09:39 18s 7:53RSR. SheppardX3.RW.261860 DEN Q2 09:21 20s 7:06+2DENDEN — teamBBB. BrownJVJ. ValančiūnasDR AST M2.RM.010 20 2061 HOU Q2 09:01 15s 8:08+2ASA. SengunM2.SO.091562 DEN Q2 08:46 15s 7:21+2BBB. BrownM2.RM.021563 HOU Q2 08:31 14s 8:22+2RSR. SheppardM2.RW.051464 DEN Q2 08:17 16s 7:37JMJ. MurrayOF1665 HOU Q2 08:01 16s 8:38+2ATA. ThompsonSAS. AdamsSAS. AdamsX2.LW.08 OR M212 16 1666 DEN Q2 07:45 16s 7:53JMJ. MurrayTO1667 HOU Q2 07:29 1s 8:39+2ASA. SengunASA. SengunRSR. 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HOUSTON -- — Nikola Jokic had 34 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, and Jamal Murray added 26 points and 10 assists as the Denver Nuggets held on to beat the Houston Rockets 112-109 on Friday night.
Jokic, who scored 24 points in the second half, finished 11 of 20 from the field. Tim Hardaway Jr . had 12 points off the bench for the Nuggets, who shot 53%.
Denver improved to 2-1 in NBA Cup play with one game remaining on Nov. 28 at home against the Spurs, while the Rockets dropped to 1-2 in NBA Cup play, with one game left at the Warriors on Wednesday.
Reed Sheppard scored a career-high 27 points to lead the Rockets, who had their five-game winning streak snapped. He had 20 points in the first half on 8-for-11 shooting, including 4 of 6 on 3-pointers.
Amen Thompson added 22 points and seven rebounds, Jabari Smith Jr. had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Alperen Sengun had 14 points and Kevin Durant finished with 13 points for Houston, which shot 44%.
Trailing 92-87 with 9 minutes remaining, Denver went on a 20-9 run to take a six-point lead on two free throws by Murray with 23 seconds remaining. Houston scored 8 of the next 11 points to cut the lead to 110-109 on a 3-pointer by Smith with 5 seconds remaining. Jokic made two free throws with just under 3 seconds left, and Sengun’s halfcourt heave at the buzzer missed.
Aaron Gordon exited with a right hamstring strain less than 3 1/2 minutes into the first quarter after falling to the court while driving. Gordon, who missed the Nuggets’ last game Wednesday at the Pelicans due to injury, was slow to get up and limped to the locker room.
Up next Nuggets: Hosts the Kings on Saturday night.
Rockets: At the Suns Monday to begin a four-game road trip.