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00:00The Denver Nuggets are a conundrum.
00:03On one hand, after winning seven straight roadies,
00:05they have one of the best road records in the NBA.
00:09On the other hand, after a head-scratching loss Monday night,
00:12they have now dropped four consecutive games.
00:16With that knowledge, some good news.
00:18Four road games, starting with Indiana, are coming right up.
00:23In the heartland of American basketball,
00:26it's the Nuggets and Pacers.
00:29Next, on Altitude.
00:48Season to Give is brought to you by Alexa Plus.
00:53Downtown Indianapolis.
00:56Yes, there will be some Nuggets fans in the house tonight.
00:59You're looking live at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
01:02Tonight, long-time rivals dating back to the ABA.
01:05It's the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers.
01:10Hi, everybody.
01:11Welcome, everybody.
01:12Chris Marlowe, Katie Winchie, Scott Hastings.
01:14Well, the Nuggets have played 20 games.
01:16Their overall record is 14-6.
01:19But those are the numbers, Katie.
01:20What about the eye test?
01:21Well, I love the Denver Nuggets offense,
01:23and it's something that I think has been stupendous the past couple seasons.
01:27Well, it's even more historic this season to start out.
01:30They're scoring at an efficiency that's almost never been seen in the NBA.
01:33They have the best offensive rating in this league
01:36and the way that they dissect defenses
01:38and then adjust and make those defenses pay.
01:40It's surgical out there.
01:42And the lead doctor of that surgery is Nicole Jokic, Scott Hastings.
01:46Yeah, we're at the corner post, basically,
01:48and you kind of judge who teams are.
01:50Well, who this guy is right here.
01:52He won the player of the month.
01:54He's the best player probably in the world.
01:56On his way to win another MVP, and he gets his team going.
02:01Rick Carlisle talked about it in his own presser.
02:03When he needs a score, he seems he goes out there and gets it.
02:06He infects it.
02:07He's real efficient on the post.
02:09Chris and I, the three of us, are always saying,
02:11get him on the post, because you cannot stop him.
02:14So the Nuggets offense has been historic.
02:16The hair on the cake for the Nuggets has been their defense,
02:19particularly in the last five games.
02:20And part of that has been you don't have your two best defenders,
02:23an Aaron Gordon and Christian Brown,
02:24but what you can control in that situation, Scott,
02:26your effort, your energy, your physicality
02:29that you put on that side of the ball.
02:30The hair on the cake?
02:31We're just going to slide right past that.
02:35Slide right past that.
02:36Listen, you saw those numbers.
02:3716-point difference with those guys being gone, basically.
02:40That's the biggest culprit.
02:43Physicality's the other.
02:44All right.
02:45The Denver Nuggets taking on the Indiana Pacers
02:47for the second time this season.
02:50Nuggets won the first in Denver.
02:52When we come back, we're talking Spencer Jones.
02:55Yeah, the emergence of Spencer Jones.
02:58Get the full story.
02:59Toyota tip-off is next.
03:01Denver Nuggets basketball on Altitude Sports
03:07is brought to you by the Colorado Honda Dealers.
03:10Visit your local Colorado Honda dealers today.
03:13By Intermountain Health,
03:14helping people live the healthiest lives possible.
03:17By Red Hawk Roofing.
03:18Tired of replacing your roof every couple of years?
03:21Get your roof for a lifetime from Red Hawk Roofing.
03:24By Ball Corporation,
03:26reminding you to choose aluminum.
03:28And by King of the Corner,
03:30and this is a really nice screen by Jamal Murray.
03:33That's not set.
03:33That's just Jamal Murray saying,
03:35I'm going to pick your guy off.
03:35And then the baseline cut.
03:37Nikola Jokic delivers a great pass there.
03:41Over and over and over again in that game,
03:43you saw Spencer Jones on the move,
03:45on the offensive end.
03:46That really contributed to his big night.
03:48If he has another 20-point night,
03:49they might start calling plays for Spencer Jones.
03:51I know.
03:52We might get that tonight.
03:54Nuggets and Pacers,
03:56coming right up on Altitude Sports.
03:58We'll see you again at halftime.
04:00We'll see you again at halftime.
04:16Jokic second dunk on the knock.
04:18Yes!
04:19Jokic has gone to dunk him.
04:22Behind the back to Watson.
04:24Oh, my.
04:26He sets.
04:27He fires.
04:28He gets the triple.
04:29Oh, Jokic is on fire!
04:35Just some of the greatness displayed by Nikola Jokic
04:39this young season.
04:40We welcome you back inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse,
04:43getting ready for the second meeting of the year,
04:45the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers.
04:47Here are tonight's starting lineups,
04:49presented by Intermountain Health.
04:51Good news.
04:52Jamal Murray shaking off the ankle tweak the other night.
04:56He's back in the starting lineup with Cam Johnson.
04:58Nikola Jokic, Peyton Watson, and Spencer Jones.
05:02Meanwhile, the Pacers are undermanned.
05:04They've lost 136 man games to injury.
05:08Andrew Nembhardt, Ben Shepard in the backcourt,
05:11with former Nugget Jay Huff,
05:12Pascal Siakam, an all-star candidate,
05:15and Benedict Matherin.
05:15Now, a good look at the big fella, Nikola Jokic.
05:22175 triple-doubles in his career.
05:25He's six behind the great Oscar Robertson.
05:29And, of course, you know, the team has been hot on the road.
05:32They've won seven in a row.
05:34They're tying the longest streak in Nuggets history.
05:37David Adelman, he wants his team to exhibit physicality.
05:43And Jamal Murray usually exhibits toughness, Scott Hastings.
05:50Well, he's showing it again tonight.
05:52Can I guarantee you, if it kept him out of that,
05:55the majority of that second half just 48 hours ago,
06:00it's probably a little iffy and funky feeling tonight.
06:04Nuggets had the lead at the end of the third quarter,
06:07104-102.
06:08Murray did not return.
06:09The Nuggets outscored the rest of the way.
06:12So, Nikola Jokic against former teammate Jay Huff.
06:16And the Pacers are going to have it.
06:19Kevin Scott, Sean Corbin, Simone Jelts,
06:22our three-person officiating crew tonight.
06:26Pacers struggling.
06:27You know that.
06:27They've been hit hard by injuries.
06:29Four-and-17 overall.
06:32Nope, starting this off.
06:35Now, shot in the lane by Nembhard.
06:37That's no good.
06:38That's the older brother of Brian Nembhard,
06:42who had a career-high 28 the other night.
06:45Now he's right into Murray.
06:47A couple of Canadians going after each other early.
06:51So, Indiana breaks on top two to nothing.
06:56Got a lane.
06:57Pop it up.
06:58No.
07:04Pascal Siakam, a heck of a talent, averaging 24 points a game.
07:09He's in on Watson.
07:11And that's great defense until that.
07:14And Watson is upset.
07:18The baseline official said he got her on the wrist.
07:22A late tap, it looks like to me, Scott.
07:32I don't know.
07:34That's all ball.
07:35If anything, that left hand was created to contact,
07:37and that was kind of warding off.
07:39That is a tough call.
07:41And Pascal Siakam at the line.
07:43He hails from Douala, Cameroon.
07:46He's 31 years old now.
07:48He was on that championship team in Toronto in 20-19.
07:52Three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA.
08:02Pascal Siakam led the team in scoring 12 of the 21 games this season.
08:08One of two there, and it's three to nothing.
08:12Murray turns the corner.
08:22Got a 15-footer.
08:24That's no good.
08:26Can't get it back.
08:27They're going to test Murray's ankle by just keeping the body on him.
08:31Ben Shepard was guarding.
08:35Murray guarding Shepard now.
08:36It's a good three-point shooter.
08:39Here's Nembhard.
08:42And a good interception by Cam Johnson.
08:46He read that one all the way.
08:47He read that great.
08:49The Nuggets on offense, the top offense in the NBA,
08:52averaging 124 and a half points per game.
08:56Now Jokic guarded by Siakam.
08:59Jokic is going to shoot a three straight away.
09:01That's no good.
09:03And Benedict Mathurin with the rebound.
09:06Now Siakam right around Jokic.
09:09Lay it in.
09:10Get down to one-on-one too quick.
09:12And Pascal Siakam, eight years in Toronto.
09:17He's third now in Indiana.
09:22Nuggets looking to get on the board here.
09:25Slow start.
09:26Hand off Cam Johnson.
09:28Jokic going to take his second three of the game.
09:31Not yet.
09:32Cam Johnson will.
09:33And he fires in a triple.
09:37Cam Johnson who came over from Brooklyn in the Michael Porter Jr. trade.
09:42And it's 5-3 Indy.
09:45Early going.
09:46Chris Marlowe, Scott Hasey, and Katie Winge with you on altitude.
09:49Glad you're with us.
09:52Huff now.
09:53Let's it go.
09:54That's no good.
09:54Rebounded by Peyton Watson.
09:57Nuggets 14-6 overall.
09:59That's good for fifth in the West.
10:01Oh, Peyton didn't cut.
10:03It was open.
10:03If he cuts hard, he stopped running.
10:06And Mathurin going to lay it in.
10:07Wasn't ready for it.
10:08Mathurin.
10:12Nuggets without Aaron Gordon, Christian Brown, and Julian Strother.
10:16We talked about Aaron and Brown being gone.
10:21That right there, those little cuts right there, they understand it a little better.
10:24Jokic is in the lane and he banks it in.
10:27I think as long as Huff's playing him one-on-one, I'd put Joker on the block for the next 62 days.
10:34First two for Jokic, who's averaging 29.
10:38A 29-point triple-double.
10:40Mathurin.
10:43Spencer Jones trying to defend.
10:45Instead, he'll pick up the foul.
10:48Spencer Jones, his first, the second.
10:52Just too light.
10:53They've practiced together forever.
10:55He's long.
10:57He can block some shots.
10:58He just doesn't have enough weight at the end of the fishing line.
11:04So to speak.
11:06The Pacers have won two of their last three games.
11:11They got bombarded by the Cavs here Monday night.
11:16They're the only team in the league, Scott, get this, that has not won a road game.
11:20They are 0-10.
11:23They want to win this game.
11:25One of the top teams in the league coming in.
11:29You're down a little bit.
11:30Everybody look at the record and say, oh, they have no shot.
11:32But I guarantee you, they played Denver tough for, what, about a half, three quarters?
11:37Yep.
11:37Mathurin missed 11 games earlier with a toe injury.
11:42He's just rounding into shape.
11:45Now Murray in the lane against Huff.
11:47They double it.
11:50Murray over the top.
11:52He goes and he hits.
11:54What kind of a performance do you expect from Murray on the ankle?
11:58It's going to be interesting to watch.
11:59That's a good question.
12:00It didn't look like it bothered him on that last shot.
12:03Screen and roll for Mathurin.
12:05Mathurin, a talent.
12:06Falls down, takes out Spencer Jones.
12:11He's hurt.
12:13Wow.
12:14There's no call on that?
12:16I'm not sure if he slipped.
12:17He thought he got pushed.
12:18But when he goes down, well, he tripped over a foot.
12:21Probably could have been a foul.
12:24Yeah, Mathurin wanted it.
12:25They got tripped.
12:269-8, Indy.
12:30Nuggets looking for their first lead of the ball game here.
12:33And the pass is bad, but we've got a foul call.
12:35Cam's got a dribble, though.
12:36He's got, as he sees that cut going, as high as he was,
12:39he's got to take two hard dribbles, one hard dribble,
12:42down below that free throw line extended,
12:44and then that pass is going to be easy.
12:45Watch how high he is.
12:46He's above the three-point line.
12:48He needs one dribble,
12:50and that pass is going to be easier to get inside.
12:54Murray around the screen, draws Siakam.
12:56And the Jokic.
12:57Four on the clock for Jokic.
12:58It's going to be a little fadeaway here.
12:59No.
13:00Dribble drive, come underneath.
13:01Score it!
13:02And the Nuggets have the first lead.
13:04They got hit on the arms, too.
13:0610-9, Denver.
13:10You know the Nuggets have lost four in a row at home.
13:13But we're on the road where they've won seven in a row.
13:16Siakam, no.
13:17Nuggets out on the break.
13:19Jamal Murray with it.
13:20Stops and pops.
13:23And he's off the mark.
13:24That ankle's bothering you.
13:25He ain't popping and pulled up in a three-point transition.
13:29And a jumper by Ben Shepard.
13:3324-year-old out of Atlanta, Georgia.
13:38Pretty good player, and he gives Indy the lead at 12-10.
13:41Jokic.
13:47Nuggets retreating.
13:49Huff.
13:50That's no good.
13:51And Murray on the weak side, you know Jokic has the rebound.
13:56Cameron Johnson's got a lane.
13:57Put it up.
13:58Yes!
13:59He beat Huff to the punch there.
14:00J. Huffin and Puffin trying to stay with him, kind of.
14:07And a timeout called.
14:10One more look at Cam Johnson.
14:12Spotted the opening, Scott.
14:14Left-hand layup good.
14:166-31.
14:18Christian Brown.
14:19And you can feel how much they missed those two, depending on how the numbers have been so far, particularly defensively.
14:25It comes down to their size defensively and their extra ball handling in terms of skills that they're missing.
14:30But beyond just the stats and the numbers, you're also missing two players that always show up with toughness.
14:35I asked David Adelman before the game, what intangibles do you miss most with those two?
14:39And he said Brown has really become a leader in this locker room.
14:42And Gordon, he's always been a leader for this team.
14:44Adelman said it might sound cliche.
14:46But guys, those two are two personalities that are very important to the fabric of this Denver Nuggets team.
14:52Yeah, they miss the defense, the toughness.
14:54Spencer Jones trying to provide that, Scott.
14:56But a couple of tough calls going against him.
14:59So, a nice job creating the contact.
15:02That's the NBA today.
15:04Create the contact, get the call.
15:06And that's what happened for Nembhard.
15:09Pacers, of course, in the Western Conference, the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago, got to the NBA Finals.
15:16As you look at the defensive rating in the last five games, we asked David Adelman, what do you look at for defense?
15:24Is it the numbers?
15:25He goes, no, it's the eye test.
15:26The stats don't tell you that much.
15:28I look and see how we're playing.
15:29Are we aggressive?
15:30Are we physical?
15:31All that good stuff.
15:3412-12, couple of missed free throws.
15:36Bench in unison just healed.
15:38Ball don't lock.
15:39Pacers coming off their best season a year ago.
15:43Having their worst season ever to start here.
15:47Tim Hardaway Jr. is in.
15:49Spencer Jones for three.
15:52Loose ball.
15:53If anybody goes to the glass, they get a rebound right there.
15:57Where's the Pacers without their star?
15:59Tyrese Halliburton.
16:00They got a floater in the lane.
16:03That's good.
16:03Matherin.
16:09They can score, though.
16:11Pass to Murray, and Murray lays it up.
16:13It is.
16:13So, Matherin on one end, Murray on the other end.
16:18Murray's second bucket.
16:19He's got five points.
16:21And the Pacers continue to attack Andrew Neymar.
16:30The latest college ball, Gonzaga.
16:32I'm tired of seeing the family.
16:35Hardaway under to Jokic.
16:37What a pass by Hardaway.
16:39Right on the money.
16:42And the Nuggets within one.
16:51He's taken over the scoring burden.
17:02Oh, good job.
17:03Hardaway's got it.
17:07And the jumper is good.
17:09Smart play by Jokic.
17:11Two guys go to the ball.
17:12He just back tapped it to Tim.
17:14Number 12 is Johnny Furpy, who just came off the injury list.
17:19He's an Australian.
17:21Pretty good player now.
17:22Corner three, no.
17:23Dribble drive into Jokic.
17:25And the layup is short.
17:26Jokic pulls down the rebound.
17:27Outlet to Watson.
17:29Nuggets by two.
17:30Watson with the Ural.
17:32Put it up.
17:33And in.
17:34And a foul.
17:36Watson, big steps.
17:38Big slow steps.
17:39But he got the job done.
17:40He likes to go to that right side.
17:42And if you start to cut him off, he'll Ural back to the interior.
17:45Watch Jackson.
17:47Gets beat right there.
17:48Once he's beat, and Jackson comes in and just blasts it.
17:55Good finish at the end of that as well.
17:58Seven-nothing scoring run for the Nuggets.
18:00And look at Peyton Watson's numbers against the Mavericks.
18:06Now Jonas Valanciunas comes in.
18:11Watch out for Watson.
18:13At the 4-19 mark.
18:24As Adelman consults with his star guard, Jamal Murray.
18:29Now Jokic, an early rest here.
18:32Bruce Brown, Watson, Valanciunas, Murray, and Hardaway Jr.
18:36T.J. McConnell is in for Indiana.
18:41He has been a pest in the past.
18:4722-17.
18:48Nuggets lead it.
18:52Little jumper.
18:53No.
18:53Bruce Brown's got it.
18:55Remember, Bruce Brown used to be with the Pacers.
18:57That's who he got the big contract with.
19:00Bruce Brown questioning.
19:06Sidney traveled.
19:07Yeah, he did.
19:08Watch out.
19:11Little floater in the lane.
19:12That's no good.
19:13Valanciunas with the rebound.
19:15Nuggets by five.
19:17Eight straight points for the good guys.
19:19Murray over Furpy.
19:21Got it.
19:22Felt that.
19:23Flip was on the line, though.
19:25They'll make it a two-pointer.
19:26Make it 24-17.
19:30Nuggets by seven here.
19:32We've got three and a half to go first quarter.
19:38Stripped.
19:38Nice play.
19:39Bruce Brown got his hand in.
19:40Now Murray's got it.
19:44Murray on the run.
19:46Valanciunas sets.
19:47He fires.
19:48He gets.
19:50Jonas Valanciunas.
19:52Yeah, I can shoot that basketball.
19:5512 unanswered points by the Denver Nuggets.
19:59We are coming back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
20:06Nuggets by nine.
20:09Go blue.
20:11I got more.
20:11I got more.
20:13Yep.
20:13Stay low.
20:14Stay low.
20:14Stay low.
20:15Stay low.
20:16Stay low.
20:17Stay low.
20:18Time now for the whole story presented by Advent Health.
20:23Reminding us to never underestimate the human spirit.
20:27Career-high 28 points for Spencer Jones in his last game.
20:31In five years at Stanford, he played 146 games.
20:34Only scored 28 or more once.
20:37And he's doing it now in the big time.
20:39He's been quite the revelation.
20:41Yeah, and you can just see every game he's played, played more.
20:44And he's gotten more and more confidence and played much, much better.
20:47Nuggets are on a 12-0 scoring run.
20:49They started 0-3 since they made 11 or 14 shots.
20:54Subs are in now for both teams.
20:56McConnell over to Siakam.
20:58Siakam guarded by Najee.
21:00Got to keep your hands out of there.
21:01That's good defense.
21:02That's an air ball.
21:03And they forgot inside as Jackson sneaks in for the Fala.
21:12Isaiah Jackson has come on.
21:13He's a 23-year-old from Pontiac, Michigan.
21:16Played his college ball at Kentucky.
21:23Valanchunas sets the screen.
21:24Murray's in deep.
21:25Murray fumbles it.
21:26Najee's got it, and he puts it up and in.
21:29Good hands there.
21:30Now hang around the rim, not only on shots, and sometimes lose balls.
21:33Look who falls into your lap.
21:36Ten-point lead for the Denver Nuggets.
21:39Jumper is good by T.J. McConnell.
21:43Undrafted out of Arizona.
21:45Missed the first ten games.
21:46Did not play in the previous game against the Nuggets,
21:49which the Nuggets won by 17.
21:52Now Bruce Brown had Valanchunas instead to Murray.
21:57Murray around the corner.
22:00And we got a whistle.
22:03Yeah, Furby grabbed Murray around the waist right before he went up the shot.
22:07He's going to go shoot it and threw him off balance for a second.
22:11He's first going to final three minutes.
22:14He's going to grab right around that lat area.
22:17That's funny.
22:19Onikola Jokic with an early break from the first quarter.
22:24Puttin' on the sweat top.
22:30Now Murray.
22:31Pretty good defense.
22:33Murray to Val.
22:35Now put it up.
22:35No, but he's foul.
22:40Valanchunas will head to the free throw line.
22:43One of five Nuggets this played in all 20 games.
22:46And a big difference.
22:49We've talked about it before, but in the past, Joker goes out that early.
22:53And I think he had to go back to the back just a little bit.
22:57Then all of a sudden, you're kind of dead in the water.
22:59You're like, oh, my gosh, can you survive?
23:00When does he get back?
23:01Can you go in now?
23:03The big balance kind of come in there and said, I got this.
23:05I can handle this a little bit.
23:09The commissioner is in the house tonight.
23:12Good to have him.
23:13Adam Silver taking in Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers.
23:25Valanchunas gets a couple.
23:27And the lead back to 10.
23:32McConnell against Bruce Brown, the former Pacer.
23:37Now a sidestepper.
23:40And Valanchunas gobbles up the rib.
23:44That's Garrison Matthews who's come into the ballgame and wearing number 24.
23:49He's taken 17 shots this year.
23:51Every one of them has been a three-pointer.
23:53He's guarding Murray.
23:55Murray gets around him.
23:56Murray trying to dump it off.
23:58Try it again.
23:59No, off the glass.
24:01How's that ankle?
24:02Well, making lemonade out of lemons there.
24:06Now, corner jumper is good by Siakam.
24:10That's one area of his game over the years in the league.
24:14He has really, really improved.
24:15Siakam just 33 and a half percent, but he's down from last year.
24:20And it's intercepted by T.J. McCollum.
24:24Matthews.
24:24He's a field goal attempt for one to three.
24:28Cut off the snide.
24:29There you go.
24:33Got to finish the quarter.
24:35Good quarter going.
24:36Final 40 seconds.
24:37David Adelman explaining the art of the screen to Simone Jealous.
24:5333-26.
24:55All in all, a good quarter for Denver, if they can finish.
25:00As Scott suggested, Nuggets played a great first quarter in the game against Dallas.
25:05The second quarter just went into the tank.
25:07Jackson, and he lays it up and in.
25:14He didn't have a lot of room to squeeze it, but six straight, seven straight for Indy.
25:20Final 24 seconds.
25:26Murray, 10 here in the first quarter.
25:29Vowl.
25:38Nope.
25:40Two seconds remaining.
25:43McConnell.
25:44That's no good.
25:46And that is the end of the first quarter.
25:48Nuggets led by as many as 12.
25:50They will settle for a five-point first quarter lead.
25:5433-28.
25:56You're watching Altitude.
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26:24Indianapolis in the Christmas spirit.
26:28I'm Chris Marlow with Scott Hastings.
26:29Katie Wenge.
26:30Nuggets played an excellent first quarter except for the last couple of minutes when they gave up a 7-0 run.
26:37Four turnovers.
26:39Six points off those turnovers.
26:42A little too much right there.
26:43That added to it.
26:44Jokic went out early at the 4-19 mark.
26:47And the basketball.
26:49And getting a breather now.
26:53And Valanchunas against Huff.
26:55Valanchunas.
26:56Wow.
26:57That is called bully ball.
26:58Scott Hastings.
27:00Like I said, good guy can get up and block better to block away from the ball.
27:06It's too light.
27:07Valanchunas with six points already.
27:09They got Zeke Najee guarding Siakam.
27:12I was trying to keep their hands out of the defensive play.
27:16And they scripted.
27:18But it's off.
27:19Johnson out of bounds.
27:21Siakam is trying to create a lot of contact.
27:25Get it where you want to.
27:27That's a heavyweight against a cruiserweight there.
27:29Yep.
27:34Flump right there.
27:35Get you off of it.
27:37Pass underneath.
27:38Knocked away.
27:39Give it to Hardaway.
27:40Hardaway could stop and pop.
27:42He does.
27:43And he nails it.
27:47Well, the transition.
27:48He just, he's smooth.
27:49Yeah, I like it.
27:51So, four quick points for the Denver Nuggets to open the second quarter here.
27:55But, McConnell, he makes that shot virtually every single time.
28:01That's his special.
28:02Uh-huh.
28:03Well, 37 to 30.
28:10Now, Cam Johnson's got a lane.
28:12Give it to Najee.
28:14Valanchunas fading away.
28:16Knocks it in.
28:17Eight points for Valanchunas.
28:19And it's a nine-point Nuggets lead.
28:21The non-Yokic minutes.
28:26Now, long range.
28:28Big time shot by Jaris Walker, who has come on.
28:33Everybody shoots threes now.
28:35There's a youngster, 22 years old.
28:37Good shooter.
28:3837% on the season.
28:45They want to get it to Valanchunas, but he's being fronted now by Siakam.
28:50Probably a good idea.
28:52Pass thrown away.
28:55Snap it over.
28:57Matthews.
28:59And Matthews has his second bucket.
29:02Time out, Denver.
29:05Just activated.
29:06Garrison Matthews.
29:08No timeout call.
29:09Two minutes into the second quarter.
29:11The Nuggets.
29:11Fieldhouse, Nikola Jokic ready and available to come back in at any time for the Denver Nuggets.
29:16Time now to see who you can count on more.
29:19Brought to you by UMB Bank.
29:21Well, the two best players in their respective leagues, they both play for Denver.
29:25That's who you can count on.
29:26The player of the month in the NHL, Nathan McKinnon, the dog, played 13 games, had 11 goals
29:32and 15 assists, 26 points.
29:34And then dominating the court, of course, is Nikola Jokic, who was named the player of
29:39the month for October and November in the NBA, averaging just a triple-double.
29:44No big deal.
29:45How fun to have two historic players for these franchises playing at the same time and representing
29:50Colorado guys.
29:51I heard something today where Nathan McKinnon, and I'm probably getting the number wrong,
29:56somebody wants to tweet at us, the last 15 games, or maybe it's one of the season, averaging
30:01two points a game, which is just amazing.
30:05Two amazing athletes.
30:08So the Nuggets lead by four.
30:09They missed their first three shots of the game since they're shooting 80%, 16 of 20,
30:15but only have that four-point lead.
30:17Now Jokic's back in.
30:20Nuggets stuck.
30:21Bruce Brown.
30:25Now Jokic's going to have to hoist one up.
30:28Falling away.
30:30No good.
30:32Now find Joker, dribble the ball, drill the ball, don't make the play right, don't get
30:36it down anywhere.
30:37Then Joker not afraid to take a shot if he has to.
30:41Indiana's on an extended 14-6 run in the last three minutes.
30:45Well, the Nuggets are once led by 12, and it's really been since McConnell has come in.
30:54He always plays well against Denver.
30:56Long pass.
30:57Man out there, and a foul.
30:58Cam Johnson flying down the court.
31:06Nicola Jokic is so good at this.
31:10And is right on the money.
31:13A hard foul, and a couple of free throws coming up.
31:16So the Pacers, you know, without Tyrese Halliburton, they lost Miles Turner to free agency.
31:25He went to Milwaukee.
31:27Look at the numbers for Cam recently.
31:30He has been very, very good.
31:33Tyrese, who actually had the calf injury in Game 5, played on it in Game 6, and then blew
31:45it out in Game 7.
31:48He could have won that, Scott.
31:49Yep.
31:50Could have, would have, should have.
31:52The Pacers making it to the NBA Finals.
31:55Surprised everyone.
31:58Good screen there by Siakam.
32:03Dump it under.
32:04Good hands, people.
32:07Jokic has it.
32:08Up to Hardaway.
32:10Hardaway lets it loose.
32:18Now Siakam going to turn and shoot.
32:20No.
32:20I believe that's Tony Bradley.
32:26Just make sure who has come on.
32:30Big man from North Carolina in his eighth NBA season.
32:34He's in there to guard Jokic.
32:36Stay double and a kickball.
32:43Matthews done a little damage here in the second quarter.
32:46Remember, the Nuggets had a very disappointing second quarter in the loss to Dallas, where
32:52they're outscored 42 to 27.
32:55Our next telecast at Atlanta Friday.
32:57Early start.
32:58Join us 430 on altitude.
33:03Corner three.
33:03And the Pacers will have it.
33:11Pacers have made nine of their last 12 field goals.
33:15And make that 10 of 13.
33:19Yeah, 18 to 7 run since that 12-point lead at 33-21.
33:26Inside, Hardaway has it stripped.
33:30This quarter unfolding like Monday nights.
33:32Walker with a little bit of an arm go out, kind of popped part of the way near the chin.
33:46He popped him good.
33:47Officials saw it quickly.
33:49Walker, 22 years old from the University of Houston, injured his ankle last year in the
33:54Eastern Conference Finals.
33:55He missed the entire NBA Finals against the Thunder.
34:01Watson, corner three, and he knocks it in.
34:04That's something Watson has become very good at, shooting over 50% on corner threes this season.
34:13Jokic got all ball.
34:15Oh, Bruce Brown racing, and he scores it.
34:20Trying to get back into the play.
34:25Well, Carlisle's man thought Siakam got fouled.
34:29He's trying to get a technical.
34:31They're not giving it to him.
34:34David Adams is mad because he thought Bruce Brown got fouled.
34:36Rick Carlisle is hot.
34:4045-39 Nuggets.
34:42Let's head back to Chris Dempsey now for the Kaiser Permanente Sports Break.
34:46Chris.
34:52Right now, all right, well, nine games in the NBA tonight.
34:55The Nuggets among the earliest starts of the night.
34:58But we do have some early results coming in, early in-progress results.
35:02The Portland Trailblazers at Cleveland down by one in the second quarter.
35:07The Spurs leading the Magic by four.
35:10That's also in the second quarter.
35:11And the Hawks, where the Nuggets will be next early there down to the Clippers.
35:17We will sort all of the technical fouls or whatever is happening out after this commercial break when we come back.
35:28Let's see what's inside the key.
35:41She's okay enough.
35:43A little bit of like two.
35:45See, that's good.
35:46That's good.
35:47All right.
35:47I'd like to get living.
35:49Make this video so loud.
35:51Okay.
35:52The key.
35:53Let's see what's inside the key.
35:55A little bit of like two.
35:56So that means there's either $100 or $750.
36:03Let's get a bottle of a new deal.
36:10Michelle, the deal is $250.
36:15This is a fourth of $250.
36:1945-39.
36:21Nikola Jokic gets a pretty good block, it looks like, from here.
36:26This is why Carlisle went off.
36:28You see the ball right there.
36:32And Carlisle was mad.
36:33He got a technical.
36:35Now, David Adama, watch the leg.
36:37Catching Bruce Brown's leg.
36:39Don't call on that one.
36:40Bruce.
36:42Rick's upset.
36:43But when both coaches and players are both upset at you, you need to probably look in the mirror.
36:50Everybody yelling at the officials.
36:53I'm Chris Marlow with Scott Hastings and Katie Winge.
36:56The Nuggets on the road trying to win their eighth straight.
37:00As Tim Hardaway Jr. knocks in the technical foul.
37:04So the Nuggets get a nice little push here.
37:05Who had a bigger gripe?
37:07I think they were about even.
37:11Don't you think?
37:12I didn't think there was much on Bruce either.
37:14I mean, there was an inadvertent shoe to the gut.
37:19Seven-point lead for Denver.
37:21Invert hip to the leg.
37:22To the floor.
37:24Nuggets defense has picked it up a little bit.
37:26Nembhard turning the corner.
37:28And Watson, that might have been a foul there.
37:33Looked like you got Nembhard on the wrist.
37:36So Payton Watson has it.
37:38Watson, six points, four rebounds so far.
37:40Watson's got that great length on the reach.
37:44Now Jokic against Bradley.
37:48Jokic in on Bradley.
37:49Going to turn.
37:50He's got the left hand if he wants it.
37:52Up and under.
37:53The okey joke works on Bradley.
37:57And it's now an 8-0 run for the Denver Nuggets.
38:04Siakam.
38:06Over the top he goes.
38:08Nice shot.
38:09Boy, he's developed into all-star caliber, hadn't he?
38:12Yeah, I did.
38:13He just played hard and active his first couple years in the league in Toronto.
38:17Then all of a sudden, he started making shots into the pass.
38:21Watson, it rolls off.
38:23This is the layup.
38:2448-41.
38:29Nembhard.
38:34And that's going to be a foul, I believe, on Cam Johnson.
38:37Absorbing contact.
38:38Cam Johnson, his first team first.
38:44At the line, Andrew Nembhard.
38:47His brother, Ryan, the other night.
38:48Boy, they look like twins.
38:50They're not.
38:51Andrew is the older of the two.
38:53Andrew's a little taller.
38:55Yeah, absolutely.
38:56Oh, Andrew's 6'5".
38:57Now get this low zero-down lease on a built Ford Tough F-150 for just $4.79 a month.
39:08Of course, you might know, Andrew, teammates with Jamal Murray and Shea Gilgis-Alexander on the Canadian Olympic team in 2024.
39:19Both praising his IQ, basketball IQ.
39:23So, five-point lead for Denver.
39:25Play here in the first half.
39:26We're midway through.
39:27Murray had 10 in the first quarter.
39:33Let's see if he can get going again.
39:36Jokic.
39:38Jokic going to work.
39:40That was blocked.
39:43Oh, my goodness.
39:50Nembhard.
39:51Matherin's going to shoot the three.
39:52Deflect it.
39:53Great play by Murray.
39:54Now, Watson's got it.
40:00Watson nearly stumbled into a traveling call.
40:06Murray stops and pops.
40:08Got it.
40:10So, Murray dropping it in there.
40:13Over Jarris Walker.
40:1512th point for Murray.
40:1750-43.
40:20Nembhard bumping with Peyton Watson.
40:24And the lead is five with five minutes to go.
40:31Nembhard's got nine to leave all Pacer scores.
40:35Jokic trying to get away from Bradley.
40:37He was giving him a big bear hug on nearly every play.
40:41Jokic six to shoot.
40:42They double late.
40:43Pass under.
40:44Nobody looking.
40:45And Bruce Eby lays it up and in.
40:49Former Pacer.
40:50They forgot about him.
40:5252-45 now.
40:54Blocked from behind by Watson.
40:56Ahead is Brown.
40:57Cowboy up!
40:58And the lead jumps to nine.
41:04And Bruce Brown was six off the bench.
41:06Link to Peyton Watson again.
41:0822 points.
41:10Now, long range.
41:11That's no good.
41:11Murray after it.
41:13Taps it to Jokic.
41:15Long pass.
41:16Cam Johnson.
41:17Johnson backs up.
41:21Let's hit rip.
41:22And hits.
41:24Timeout Indy.
41:26I actually think Cam Johnson should shoot more, Scott.
41:29Shoot the ball more.
41:31A 17-6 run from the guys from the Mile High City.
41:38Jokic making the beautiful no-look pass.
41:40So, they're bringing two guys over.
41:41And when they do, the bottom guy rolls back up and helps.
41:45There's that back shoulder, if you will, block from behind.
41:50Then kick it out that long pass and get an easy layup down the other end.
41:58You know, Nikola Jokic doing what Jokic does.
42:05We have a moment.
42:06Let's check in with Katie.
42:07Well, guys, one of Nikola Jokic's former teammates in a Denver Nuggets uniform,
42:11Daniil Gallinari, took to social media to announce his retirement from basketball yesterday,
42:16which leads us to our Toyota talk tonight.
42:19Gallo on social media said it's been an incredible journey filled with countless memories
42:23that he'll carry with him for the rest of his life.
42:25And certainly, many of those memories were with Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets franchise.
42:30Gallo shot 38% from three in his career.
42:33He retires as the all-time leading point scorer born in Italy.
42:37His career with Denver was the longest stay of the eight teams he played for.
42:4216 points per game in a Denver Nuggets uniform.
42:44And I want to ask you guys, before we get back to action here,
42:47favorite Gallo memory that you have?
42:49I'll tell you mine.
42:52I'll tell you mine.
42:53He made, as called by Chris Marlowe, the shot of the century.
42:59You remember that, Scott Hastings?
43:01I don't.
43:01Probably wasn't the shot of the century, but it was darn good.
43:04I, I, I, my memory of him is he always would come up to me, I said, I'm taller, dude.
43:09I'd say, no, I'm taller.
43:10So I wrote him today and told him, congrats.
43:12I said, by the way, you were a little bit taller.
43:15Gallo, what a great guy.
43:16So retiring Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings, Katie Winchy on the report.
43:22Nembhard in the lane.
43:23That's no good at Peyton Watson.
43:26Sprinting his wings to collect that rebound.
43:29Nuggets have gone up by 12 now.
43:31That's their biggest lead of the night.
43:33Jokic facilitating from the high post.
43:35Spencer Jones has come back in.
43:37He's in the left corner.
43:39Now Murray.
43:40Contested shot.
43:41He knocks it in.
43:42Once he steps back, he's going to kick it out.
43:44But the defense doesn't close on.
43:46Right?
43:47So why kick it out?
43:48I'm right there at that free throw line.
43:4914-point lead for Denver.
43:51That's the largest of the night.
43:54Now, can they close the quarter?
43:57That's been there.
44:00Flying the ointment.
44:01And we've got an offensive foul.
44:04Hair in the cake, if you like.
44:05I can't believe you said that.
44:07I hadn't heard that in a long time.
44:10Bradley's going to get a call.
44:11Watch.
44:12Obviously, coming in there.
44:14Jones was chasing the offensive player.
44:17Bradley just came in way late on that.
44:19So Bradley goes out.
44:22Here you go.
44:22Come on.
44:23Come on.
44:23Get it down.
44:25See where they're going to go.
44:27Yeah.
44:27They're going to go with Isaiah Jackson, who's a capable defender.
44:31Smaller than Bradley, but maybe more active.
44:34Tough.
44:35He'll guard him differently.
44:37Jokic.
44:38One-on-one.
44:38Jokic in the lane.
44:41Scores it.
44:42Look out.
44:43Too small, though.
44:43Yeah, David Edelman had a nice point.
44:45He said, I like when Jokic is unselfish.
44:46It's great, but sometimes you've got to go get the buckets.
44:50And that's what he seems to be doing so far tonight.
44:52He's got ten points.
44:56Nuggets leading by 16 on an 11-0 scoring run.
45:00Siakam covered up by Watson.
45:03That's terrific defense.
45:05Jokic has the rebound.
45:07Nuggets out of the backcourt.
45:09Siakam frustrated.
45:10Jokic has it.
45:11Give it to Watson.
45:12Watson tries to ram it with one hand, but he's too far away.
45:16A lot of contact.
45:18Now, Pacers with it.
45:21They need a basket bad.
45:2311 straight points by Denver as Jokic reaches out and touches someone.
45:30Peyton thought he had enough space to get up there.
45:35Siakam just trying to get the foul.
45:36Peyton stayed with him.
45:37Oh, yeah.
45:39Jokic gets it and then down the other end.
45:42That's a good no call.
45:44Straight up.
45:46What?
45:47That's a good no call.
45:48Scott Hastings, folks.
45:51Oh, what a trouble.
45:53An Emmerich two-foot jump stop.
45:55At three is an air ball.
45:58The 11-0 run is over.
46:0061-45.
46:02Murray long range.
46:03Got it!
46:04Jamal Murray having a wonderful first half.
46:09He's got 17.
46:10And with 1-45, the Nuggets go up by 19.
46:15So, putting on the Ritz here late in the second quarter.
46:19Something they did not do Monday night.
46:21Nembhard around and out.
46:24Cam Johnson with a rebound.
46:27Can the Nuggets keep pushing here?
46:32Jokic.
46:33And Jokic draws the foul on Jackson.
46:37And Jokic complaining, I believe, Scott, that he's getting held prior to that.
46:42Well, he's getting bumped pretty good.
46:43But you see Jackson's hands all the way inside there.
46:46It's an easy little fake and rake thing.
46:48They weren't going to give him the shot.
46:52The NBA has decided they are not going to give him shots on that.
46:55Jokic, 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists.
46:59Got a little scrapage going on the left arm,
47:02which he customarily does this far into the season.
47:0714 straight points for Denver.
47:10High fake.
47:10And Jokic rams it home.
47:13A little zone.
47:14He's a threat of shooting that free-throw jumper.
47:16Huff tried to block it.
47:18Put him in the dunk contest, please.
47:2166-45.
47:22Don't forget, the first bank halftime report's coming up.
47:25Nick Lombardi, Chris Dempsey.
47:27So far, a good bounce back by Denver.
47:29Siakam out to Huff.
47:33Good ball movement.
47:35Huff long range short.
47:40Mathlin knocks it in.
47:42That's your man.
47:43Kind of just sneaks by you.
47:45You kind of stand and watch the shot defensively,
47:47and your man gets that rebound.
47:51The final 40 seconds of a wild and woolly second quarter.
47:56Murray, can he do it again?
47:57He can!
47:59Oh, Canada!
48:00Murray has 20 here in the first half.
48:04He made 8-of-10, 4-of-5 from downtown.
48:1021-point lead for the second time.
48:13It's Mr. Jones trying to get into Nembhardt.
48:16Nuggets switch, but not in time.
48:19Payton Watson the rebound.
48:2014 seconds remaining.
48:22Adelman signals one shot.
48:26There you go now.
48:28Murray, 6 on the clock.
48:30Murray.
48:31He checked!
48:33Got it!
48:34Jamal Murray, 23 big ones.
48:41Here in the first half.
48:42That ankle looks like a cake without a hair in it.
48:46A Murray flurry to be sure.
48:5032-9 to end the half.
48:54So the Nuggets lead it 72-48.
48:57When we come back, halftime report.
49:00First Bank, Vic Lombardi, Chris Dempsey.
49:03Stay tuned.
49:07Now let's get you back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse
49:10in the iconic, adventurous 2025 Toyota 4Runner.
49:13It's available now at your front range Toyota stores.
49:20Nuggets outscoring the Pacers 32-9
49:23in the last 7 minutes and 42 seconds
49:26and have a 24-point lead to start the third quarter.
49:29But right now, let's check in with Scott Hastings
49:31presented by HCA Health 1.
49:34A big part of that run, obviously,
49:35Jamal Murray leading all scores with 23.
49:38That second quarter, he had 13,
49:41including all made shots.
49:435 of 5 from the field, including 3 threes.
49:47He was absolutely phenomenal.
49:49You see what he ends up, 9 of 11.
49:51Listen, Jamal Murray, he said this a long time.
49:53He said, I'm not a shooter, I'm a scorer.
49:57But he's a shooter and a maker so far tonight.
50:00As you see, 9 of 11, pretty good.
50:04Now, Jamal Murray with a huge first half.
50:08I think David Adelman has to be very happy
50:10with the way his team played defense,
50:12also allowing just 48 points.
50:15Well, yeah, and you want to make a statement
50:16in your first five minutes.
50:18Peyton Watson forgot he was supposed to get the ball in.
50:21Three excellent scoring runs.
50:23Now, Murray's first shot is good again.
50:25Murray continues to sizzle.
50:27Peyton's laughing at David Adelman.
50:29He's going to shake his head.
50:30He forgot to play.
50:31He's supposed to hit Joker in the post originally.
50:33What's the play?
50:34Throw it to Murray.
50:36Now, Nembhard is in the lane out to Huff.
50:38And Jokic takes the foul.
50:42Let's go to Katie.
50:43Guys, I talked with assistant coach Ben Potts
50:44about what the Nuggets talked about at halftime.
50:46I asked him, what did you like about that first half?
50:48He said, you did a really good job of limiting transition.
50:50He really liked their shrinks defensively,
50:52keeping Indiana out of the pain.
50:53And then he said, we're forcing them into the shots
50:55that they want.
50:56The Nuggets want the Pacers to be shooting defensively.
50:58What he wants to see cleaned up?
50:59A little bit better in terms of drives like that one,
51:02but he also wants the offensive rebounds to be handled.
51:05Finish those defensive possessions with the board, guys.
51:07All right, a straight-line drive there.
51:10Just a backdoor.
51:11And again, Peyton Watson, again, he shows the cut and stops.
51:16And Joker's going to throw it to where the cut was supposed to be.
51:19Joker gets the turnover there.
51:21Now Matherin, a fly-by.
51:24Straightaway three.
51:26That's good.
51:26Oh, miscommunication turnover on this end.
51:32Ben Shepard gets the three.
51:34Two defensive mishaps down here.
51:38I want to send a message early.
51:42Jokic has doubled immediately.
51:46Murray has the hot hand, and he knows it.
51:49There he goes again.
51:5377-53.
51:53Well, Murray's got 28.
52:01And the Nuggets go and get it.
52:11Murray, high off the glass.
52:13No.
52:16Not that time.
52:17No, Matherin says, I'll help.
52:27You may need Jokic for this.
52:29Ah, Matherin, good job.
52:33Teams have gotten that down now, Scott.
52:35Occasionally, when the ball gets stuck up top.
52:37Indiana, Matherin stayed out of bounds.
52:42Don't pay attention to Kevin Scott over here.
52:44He said, no, it's on the side.
52:47If you're wondering about Murray's season high, it's 43.
52:50You probably know that.
52:51Sitting on 28 at the moment.
52:5324-point lead.
52:55Siakam trying to draw the foul.
52:56Didn't get it.
52:57Spencer Jones collects the rebound.
53:03Spencer, and he is hacked from behind by Matherin.
53:07So, Spencer Jones, who hails from Shawnee Mission, Kansas.
53:12They're going to look at this, see if it's a flagrant.
53:15Spencer Jones limping a little bit.
53:18He, uh, that was earlier, wasn't it?
53:20Well, he took a hard foul.
53:22Or, excuse me, a hard foul.
53:23Fouls under review to see if it meets a criteria for a flagrant.
53:26A hard fall in that first half.
53:31Well, you always say, Scott, if a guy's going to score, wrap him up.
53:35Well, I don't think that's a flagrant.
53:36He just grabbed the ball.
53:41Taking a look, Matherin grabs him.
53:45He said, I think Spencer's hurting a little bit.
53:50Remember, the three tenets wind up, impact, follow-through for a flagrant foul.
53:58You've got to have all three elements there.
54:03And we wait.
54:05The Nuggets on the road.
54:08And we'll get the call here.
54:10After review, it's determined to be a common foul.
54:12The contact occurs below the shoulders.
54:14Therefore, there's no high potential for injury.
54:16That's Kevin Scott.
54:18He's assisted by Sean Corbin and Simone Jelks.
54:23Let's talk more about Spencer with Katie.
54:26Chris, you've mentioned that Spencer Jones on a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets.
54:29But I asked him before this season started how much more confident he was coming into this year to last.
54:34And he said, when you first get to the NBA, there's a little shock and awe seeing someone like Nikola Jokic, like Jamal Murray, all these players he grew up watching and playing NBA 2K with.
54:43He said, you wonder where you fit in, how the system works.
54:46And now, in year two, you have the answers to some of those questions.
54:49You push ahead.
54:50Experience is the best teacher.
54:51And we've definitely seen that with Jones.
54:53Yeah, he has been quite the story as Murray scores again.
54:58And he'll head to the free throw line.
55:02He keeps continuing to talk to the Nembhard.
55:04You mentioned that they're on that Team Canada.
55:08Yeah.
55:08You know, Team Canada has a lot of good guards and mid-sized players.
55:13The reason they don't do better internationally, they're devoid of bigs.
55:16They're relying on Kelly Olenek and some of the other guys who are capable players, but not star bigs.
55:24Backups.
55:24Yeah.
55:25They're having to really play a lot of significant minutes against the world who has giant and great bigs.
55:33Nuggets up by 27.
55:37Good job.
55:38Let's see how he's trying to close that lane down play.
55:41Nembhard trying to get by Spencer Jones.
55:47And the jumper by Ben Shepard is good.
55:50Good hit and fake right there.
55:53Murray to fly by.
55:56Shepard has 11 points.
55:58Murray's got the last 14 for Denver.
56:05Got Jokic open if he can get it to him.
56:06Peyton Watson's favorite spot.
56:08That's no good.
56:09Bethlehem with the rebound.
56:10That's no good.
56:10Bethlehem with the rebound.