Nikola Jokic’s triple-double lifts Nuggets over Grizzlies 113-97

DENVER (AP) —Nikola Jokic had 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists for his 25thtriple-double this season to lead the Denver Nuggets over theMemphis Grizzlies 113-97 Friday night in a showdown of the top twoteams in the Western Conference.

Denver wonthe season series 2-1 and holds a six-game lead — five in the losscolumn — over Memphis for the top seed in the Western Conference.Sacramento is seven games back.

MichaelPorter Jr. scored 26 points and Jamal Murray scored half of his 22points in the fourth quarter for the Nuggets, who are 25-0 thisseason when Jokic has a triple-double.

“Since theAll-Star break, it feels like every night’s a playoff-type game,”Denver coach Michael Malone said. “We’ve played Memphis twice,Cleveland, the Clippers, and our guys showed up.”

Ja Morant had27 points and 10 assists for the Grizzlies despite wearing a facemask due to a nasal fracture suffered at Houston on Wednesdaynight. Desmond Bane had 19 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 15 andXavier Tillman Sr. had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

“We did a lotof great things for three quarters and then just kind of fellapart,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said.

The game wastied at 80 after three quarters, but the Nuggets outscored theGrizzlies 33-17 in the fourth. Murray had two layups, made a pairof free throws and fed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for a corner3-pointer to give the Nuggets a 96-86 lead.

Murray’s3-pointer and Porter’s four-point play — which secured Jokic’s101st career triple-double — made it 105-86.

“Anybody canmake a shot, but we’re getting stops, we were getting out andrunning, the team was flowing. Everyone was being unselfish,”Murray said of the fourth quarter.

Memphis shotjust 7 of 20 in the final 12 minutes.

“In thefourth, we got some good shots and they just weren’t falling, andthey started hitting more shots,” Luke Kennard said.

Denver missedits first 11 shots from 3-point range and didn’t get its first makeuntil late in the second quarter.

MANBEHIND THE MASK

Morant won’thave this particular mask for long. The guard will have one fittedto his face by the time the team arrives in Los Angeles forSunday’s game.

“This onewill be a temporary one that is kind of a standard operating one,”Jenkins said. “Luckily we’ll get one that fits him a little bitmore, to the mold of his face and gives him a little more comfortout there.”

TAKEA SEAT

Memphisforward Dillon Brooks was hit with his 16th technical foul of theseason with 5:45 left in the game. Brooks earned a $5,000 fine anda one-game suspension.

CLARKE INJURED

Grizzliesforward Brandon Clarke left in the final seconds of the firstquarter with a lower left leg injury. Clarke missed a free throwand started limping as he went up the court and fell at half-court.He was helped to the locker room without putting weight on his leftleg.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies:Have held Denver to 42 and 50 points in the first half of theirlast two games. ... C Steven Adams missed his 16th straight gamewith a right knee sprain.

Nuggets: CThomas Bryant was helped to the bench after suffering an injuryunder Memphis’ basket in the third quarter. Malone said after thegame Bryant could have returned if needed.

UPNEXT

Grizzlies: Atthe Clippers on Sunday night.

Nuggets: Hostthe Toronto Raptors on Monday night.