In one of their more peculiar games of this season, the Nuggets won the hard way.
Losing Nikola Jokic’s minutes by seven points but winning the minutes without him by 13, Denver overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half to beat the Kings 116-110 on Wednesday night at Ball Arena.
Led by Zeke Nnaji’s star turn in the backup center role, Michael Malone’s second unit leaned heavily on defense in two productive stints. He surrounded Jamal Murray with Nnaji, Peyton Watson and Russell Westbrook both halves. Michael Porter Jr. completed the lineup for its critical fourth-quarter stretch — a 12-2 run capped by Nnaji’s 3-pointer from the top of the key to give Denver a 96-95 lead.