Jokic Triple-Double Powers Nuggets to 128-109 Win Over Raptors

A 41-15 third quarter turned a close game into a rout, exposing Toronto’s thin center rotation, erratic shooting, and a failed rebounding plan.

Overview

The Denver Nuggets beat the Toronto Raptors 128-109 in a game Wednesday when Nikola Jokic posted 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his third triple-double of the season.
Denver broke the game open with a dominant third quarter, outscoring Toronto 41-15 while shooting over 68 percent in the period as the Raptors missed 18 of 23 shots.
Toronto’s plan to use offensive rebounding to neutralize Jokic did not work because Denver’s interior scoring and Jokic’s play overwhelmed the tactic.
Jakob Poeltl entered the game listed as questionable with left-shoulder bursitis and the loss highlighted the Raptors’ ongoing center-rotation instability and second-half scoring lapses.
RJ Barrett led Toronto with 22 points and Scottie Barnes had 17, the defeat dropped the Raptors to 4-4, and the team now faces the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday while the Nuggets host Indiana on Saturday.