The Denver Nuggets powered through a fast-paced, high-scoring affair to defeat the Miami Heat, 135-122, in a thrilling contest at home.

Nikola Jokić was once again the driving force for Denver, finishing with an impressive 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists, shooting a remarkable 85% from the field. His all-around performance continues to cement his status as one of the NBA’s premier players.

The Nuggets got off to a blazing start, posting 40 points in the first quarter. Peyton Watson and Jamal Murray led the charge early, with Watson contributing a block, steal, and a three-pointer, and Murray returning from a concussion to hit his first three-pointer of the game.

However, Denver’s defense, which has been a concern this season, allowed the Heat to stay within reach. Despite the defensive lapses, the Nuggets’ offense was on fire, with Christian Braun making 3-of-3 from beyond the arc by halftime.

The second quarter saw a slight dip in the Nuggets’ offensive rhythm, as Miami capitalized on Denver’s defensive lapses. However, Nikola Jokić quickly re-entered the game and steadied the ship, with Denver pushing their lead back to 11 points by the end of the half, leading 71-60.

In the second half, Denver continued to shine offensively. Michael Porter Jr. hit a three-pointer to open the third quarter, and Jamal Murray, along with Jokić, kept the scoring high.

At one point, the Nuggets’ lead ballooned to 26 points, but a late Heat rally trimmed the lead down to just 12. Despite the Miami surge, Denver responded with key performances from the bench, including Hunter Tyson’s seven consecutive points.

The fourth quarter saw Michael Malone experiment with a small-ball lineup that featured Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson.

The unusual lineup was surprisingly effective, as Watson contributed offensively and maintained his defensive position against Bam Adebayo. But the Heat made a late surge to reduce the deficit to seven points. Jokić and Murray made crucial plays in the closing seconds to help the Nuggets hold on for the win.

In addition to Jokić’s standout performance, Jamal Murray contributed 28 points, while Porter Jr. and Braun each added 21 points. Russell Westbrook showed his veteran leadership with 10 assists, and Peyton Watson added a solid 16 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.

Despite some defensive struggles, the Nuggets’ offensive firepower was too much for the Heat, and Denver extended their early-season success with this dominant win.