Last week: Won at Lakers 128-104, won at Phoenix 113-111, lost to New Orleans 112-100, beat Memphis 119-110
This week: Sunday vs. Sacramento, Tuesday at Houston, Thursday at Indiana, Saturday at Washington
It was a busy Christmas week for the Denver Nuggets, who went 3-1 while losing at home in their first Christmas Day game since 2012, dropping to 1-5 all-time on the NBA’s biggest holiday. The loss to the Pelicans was eased a bit by blowing out the LeBron James-less Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Nikola Jokic continues his revival, averaging 23.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.5 minutes per game, shooting 51.7 percent overall and hitting 9-of-18 from long range. Jokic had two triple-doubles on the week, including putting up 31 points, 10 boards and 10 dimes in 33 minutes before fouling out against the Grizzlies on Saturday.
Last week: Won at Sacramento 113-104, lost at Golden State 116-104, beat Brooklyn 108-98
This week: Sunday at New Orleans, Tuesday vs. Denver, Friday vs. Philadelphia
The Houston Rockets had a chance to get at least some measure of revenge against Golden State — or at least Draymond Green — on Christmas Day, but lost to the woeful Warriors. But the defensive revolution that was going to slow down the scoring of James Harden didn’t exactly materialize.
The Beard torched the Nets on Saturday for 44 points on 17-of-27 shooting, hitting 6-of-10 from deep. For the week, he only averaged 34.0 points — he’s all the way down to 38.3 for the year now — 7.3 assists, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks in 38.3 minutes per game while shooting 56.3 percent overall and hitting 51.6 percent on 10.3 triple tries nightly.