Western Conference Recap: Nikola Jokic’s 36-Point Triple Double Not Enough To Defeat Houston Rockets

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Despite a 36-point, 21-rebound, and 11-assist performance from superstar Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets fell short to the Houston Rockets. Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. added 25 points and 10 rebounds in the 107-104 loss.

The Rockets win their sixth consecutive game behind stars Alpren Sengun and Fred VanVleet. Sengun scored 23 points, along with eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. VanVleet recorded 26 points on 42.9 percent shooting.

- The Los Angeles Clippers remain winless since acquiring guard James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Memphis Grizzlies earn their second win of the season behind Desmond Bane’s 27-point performance.

Forward Paul George recorded 26 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in the 105-101 defeat. Meanwhile, Harden scored 11 points on 33.3 percent shooting. He airballed a three-pointer in clutch time, sealing the win for Memphis.

- The Dallas Mavericks are 8-2 in the regular season behind an MVP campaign from guard Luka Doncic. Kyrie Irving led the team in scoring with 35 points and seven assists. Doncic recorded 30 points on 61.1 percent shooting in the 136-124 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The balanced scoring attack of the Pelicans wasn’t enough to overpower the Mavericks backcourt. All-Star Brandon Ingram scored 20 points, while Dyson Daniels and Matt Ryan combined for 31.

- The efforts of Oklahoma City Thunder stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams pushed them past the Phoenix Suns, 111-99. The duo combined for 66 points, while Chet Holmgren scored 18 points.

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal struggled from the field, shooting 13 of 36. Drew Eubanks was Phoenix’s second-leading scorer with 15.

- The Minnesota Timberwolves continue their winning streak behind a 33-point performance from Anthony Edwards. Big man Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 14 rebounds in the 116-110 win over the Golden State Warriors. Superstar Stephen Curry finished with 38 points, but the Warriors second-leading scorer only had 16.

- In the absence of LeBron James, Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers past the Portland Trail Blazers. He finished the game with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks on 50 percent shooting. Cam Reddish, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura scored more than 15 points.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat.

He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @anthonypasci

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