Nikola Jokic scores 31, Nuggets pull away from Wizards 118-104

WASHINGTON(AP) — Nikola Jokic had 31 points and 12 rebounds as the DenverNuggets shook off a slow start and beat the short-handed WashingtonWizards 118-104 on Wednesday night.

MichaelPorter Jr. added 21 points and Jamal Murray had 17 for WesternConference-leading Denver. Trailing by two points af halftime,Murray was also among those with emotional words for theNuggets.

“We neededthat,” Jokic said of Murray’s words. “And we know what we needed todo. Because the postseason is going to be really short if we playlike we played in the first half.”

The Nuggetswent 15 for 32 from beyond the arc and finished a season-highfive-game trip with three wins.

The tripbegan with a loss in Toronto that was the last setback in aseason-worst four-game slide.

“Every teamin the NBA, I think, has had that bad run,” Jokic said. “Hopefullyit’s done for us and we survive it. And hopefully we’re going toplay better now.”

KristapsPorzingis scored 25 points for the Wizards, who were withoutthree-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal due to left kneesoreness.

Deni Avdijaadded 16 points for Washington, which lost its fourth straight.Washington entered the game in 12th place in the East and 2 1/2games back of Chicago for the final play-in spot.

Beal hadplayed 31 minutes and scored 16 points in Tuesday’s 122-112 loss atOrlando. Forward Kyle Kuzma (right ankle) also missed a secondstraight start.

“It’sfrustrating of course, but we can’t control the circumstances,”Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said “It’s just more, how do werespond to the circumstances? That to me is more important. It’s anindication of who we are collectively and individually.”

Neither teamled by more than six before halftime. Denver opened up a 21-pointlead after outscoring Washington 39-16 in the third quarter.

The Nuggetsbegan the period hitting their first four shots — three from beyondthe arc — and ended it with an 8-0 spurt, punctuated by BruceBrown’s running dunk followed by Jeff Green’s corner 3 with 0.3seconds left.

“We cared,finally,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “I challenged our guysin a big way at halftime. The way we played in that first half,that can’t be who we are.”

TIP-INS

Nuggets:Finished the season 8-7 on the road against Eastern Conferenceteams while improving to 19-18 in their travels overall. ... Jokichad seven assists, falling three short of his 29th triple-doublethis season. ... Murray had eight assists and six rebounds.

Wizards: Shota season-worst 4 of 26 (15.4%) from beyond the arc. ... JordanGoodwin scored 12 points and was the only other Washington playerin double figures. ... Beal missed his 23rd game of the season andhis first since a Feb. 6 home loss to Cleveland. Coach Wes UnseldJr. said pregame that Beal is day to day.

HINTOF HOME

Wednesdayfelt slightly more like home two Nuggets.

Green hit twoof his three 3-point attempts and finished with 11 points off thebench in the same building where he used to star for the GeorgetownHoyas. Jokic enjoyed support from a sizable Serbian fan presence,with the Wizards even hosting folk dancers of his home country’stradition at half.

“I mean Ilove it,” Jokic said. “I always say the Serbian fans are probablythe best fans in the world. Our language, our energy, our flags. Ilove it.”

UPNEXT

Nuggets:Begin a three-game homestand Saturday against Milwaukee.

Wizards: HostSan Antonio on Friday.