Another close game, another collapse by the Pelicans on Friday as Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets outlasted the Pelicans and Zion Williamson, 113-108.
Jokic and Zion Williamson went toe-to-toe in a shootout that saw the Denver big man get the last laugh. Jokic finished with 37 points, nine assists and six rebounds, outdueling Williamson’s 39 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The two went shot for shot down the stretch in the fourth with Jokic and the Nuggets doing just enough to outlast a Pelicans team that shot 50% from the field on the night. New Orleans led by 14 points in the second quarter but could not hold off Denver for their second win over the Nuggets in a week.
Eric Bledsoe had 16 points, Brandon Ingram 13 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker 14 in the loss.
