Nuggets pull away late, beat Pelicans 116-108 behind Jokic

The Nuggets beat the Pelicans 116-108 at Smoothie King Center and moved to 6-4. Denver broke a close fourth quarter open with an 11-0 run that turned an 84-82 lead into 95-82.

Nikola Jokic was the player of the game with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals. Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 24 points. The Pelicans fell to 4-9.

The lead stayed in double digits after that. Herbert Jones hit a three with 5:40 left, but Denver was already up 102-90. Jokic scored inside and Jamal Murray hit a pullup to make it 106-93. Williamson answered with a layup, and Christian Braun hit a 27-foot three to make it 109-96. Williamson cut it to 109-100 with 1:56 left. Braun then dunked to make it 113-101 with 39.5 seconds to go. Fears and Jones scored late for New Orleans, but the gap never closed.

Chirp's Sim had Denver at 68% before the game, and the Nuggets delivered.