DETROIT — Instead of gradually amassing five fouls to keep himself mostly sidelined, Nikola Jokic expedited the process this time.
In the second game of a Rust Belt back-to-back in which Denver’s frustration with officiating stewed and simmered until it boiled over, Jokic followed Nuggets coach Michael Malone down the tunnel almost exactly one quarter after Malone was ejected for arguing calls early in a 107-103 Nuggets win against the Pistons.
Denver (10-4) escaped a hectic finish to snap a four-game road losing streak and extend Detroit’s losing streak to 12 games. Reggie Jackson led the charge sans Jokic with 21 points, six assists and no turnovers in a mostly sloppy game.