Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets End Pelicans Road-Win Streak In A Physical Contest

The Denver Nuggets outmuscled the New Orleans Pelicans to a 125-113 victory at home on Friday evening. New Orleans' loss snaps its seven-game win streak on the road, which tied for second-best in franchise history. The Pelicans once again had no answer for Nuggets all-world center Nikola Jokic.

Denver started the game eager to prove why they are the defending champions. The Nuggets shot 58% in the quarter and dished out 11 assists on 15 made baskets.

Zion Williamson started the game shooting 3/3 and led the Pelicans with six points in the first quarter. Denver used a late run to extend to a double-digit advantage after one quarter.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic quickly made his presence felt. Jokic was averaging 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists versus the Pels this season, and he seemed poised to replicate those numbers. 'The Joker' finished the first quarter with 11 points and five assists, spearheading Denver's 37-25 lead.

The offensive groove continued for the Nuggets in the second quarter as their hot shooting overmatched the Pelicans defense. Denver shot 60% from the field in the first half and also had 16 fast break points. New Orleans usually wins the battle in the paint with Zion and Jonas Valanciunas. \

The Nuggets were the aggressors in the interior, with a +14 advantage in points in the paint and a +8 on the boards. Williamson missed five straight shots in the quarter, and Brandon Ingram couldn't get his offense going. New Orleans trailed 66-51 at halftime.

Jonas Valanciunas started to get going in the third period, much like he did against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Jonas scored eight straight points for New Orleans at one point, but the Pelicans couldn't get the lead under 12 points at any point. Meanwhile, New Orleans best two players, Ingram and Williamson, had just 21 points combined through three quarters.

Zion finally came alive in the fourth quarter, but it proved to be too little too late. Williamson scored 18 points in the final period on an array of layups and dunks. He finished with a game-high 30 points.

However, the Pelicans' defense could not get any timely stops on the Nuggets offense to get back in the game. Denver finished with a 16-4 advantage in second-chance points and outscored the Pels by eight in fast break points.

Jokic grabbed a late rebound to notch another triple-double, his 12th of the season, which leads the NBA. His final stat line was 27 points, 14 assists, and ten rebounds. Brandon Ingram finished with just two points in the second half, for a total of nine points. Ingram hasn't scored 20 points in a game since December 31 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

New Orleans continues its road trip with a visit to Dallas on Saturday night. After the back-to-back, the Pelicans remain in Dallas to play the Mavericks again on Monday night. New Orleans finally returns home to play the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.