Home Entertainment Jamal Murray created a ‘FIERY’ performance with 37 points to help Nuggets crush Pistons while Nikola Jokic missed a record of 18 assists

Jamal Murray created a ‘FIERY’ performance with 37 points to help Nuggets crush Pistons while Nikola Jokic missed a record of 18 assists

Entertainment — 01/08/2024

Jamal Murray scored a season-high 37 points, Nikola Jokic had 16 assists and the Denver Nuggets handed the Pistons their 18th straight road loss by rolling past Detroit 131-114 on Sunday night.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives to the rim as Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Murray scores 37, Jokic has 16 assists as Nuggets cruise to 131-114 win over Pistons

Murray followed an off-shooting game against Orlando on Friday with a bounce-back one, hitting 14 of 24 shots from the floor. He also was 6 of 7 from the free throw line.

Jokic was more distributor and shot blocker than scorer, taking just three shots and finishing with four points. The two-time NBA MVP tied a career high with five blocked shots in between setting teammates up for easy buckets around the rim.

DENVER, CO – JANUARY 7: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 7, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

He had a chance at his career high of 18 assists, but didn’t play in the fourth quarter with the game in hand.

The Pistons fell to 1-19 away from home, with their lone road win on Oct. 27 at Charlotte.

Jalen Duren led Detroit with 20 points, while Alec Burks added 18. Cade Cunningham had three points before leaving midway through the second quarter with a strained left knee.

Denver won the last matchup with Detroit 107-103 on Nov. 21 in a game where both Jokic and coach Michael Malone were ejected for arguing. Jokic picked up another technical Sunday for what was deemed a flop. He exaggerated the contact when he took a push out on the wing in the third quarter.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) reaches over a pick set by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) to foul forward Michael Porter Jr., right, who takes a 3-point shot in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, looks to drive to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Soon after, Peyton Watson took a shove from Ausar Thompson while running down the floor. Watson got up angry, but was restrained by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Officials called Thompson for a flagrant foul.

Denver had a great third quarter, outscoring the Pistons 43-28 to seize the lead and take the lead. This was different from the previous two games, where Denver had trouble winning after halftime.

With 18 points apiece from Caldwell-Pope and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets improved to 18-0 versus teams below the.500 mark this season. The Pistons’ record against teams that are above.500 is now 0-19.

It was the Pistons’ fourth consecutive loss. After ending their NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak against Toronto on December 30, they have gone on a skid.