Despite Nikola Jokic's ejection, Nuggets beat Bulls

Field Level Media|published: Tue 12th December, 22:53 2023

Dec 12, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) defends Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) during the first half at United Center. credits: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Jackson scored 25 points and Michael Porter Jr. added 17 to lift the short-handed Denver Nuggets to a 114-106 victory against the host Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

Denver won for the second time in as many nights despite having the services of its two leading scorers for a mere 16 minutes.

Officials ejected Nuggets star Nikola Jokic with 1:08 remaining in the second quarter for briefly arguing a no-call as he ran down the floor. Jokic had missed a layup at the other end amid contact from Chicago's Nikola Vucevic as he drove the baseline.

Fans at United Center booed the call as Jokic left the game with four points, nine rebounds and six assists. He had not been assessed a previous warning or technical foul. The development further depleted Denver as it played without Jamal Murray, who rolled his left ankle in the first quarter Monday in a win at Atlanta (he returned to that game).

Denver also lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the second quarter Tuesday, with a head contusion.

Chicago trailed by 16 points in the third quarter and rallied to trim the deficit to five before the Nuggets regained control.

Coby White kept the Bulls afloat with 27 points, which included 5-for-10 shooting from 3-point range. White has swished at least three treys in 12 consecutive games, a franchise record.

Still, the effort from White and a 26-point, 16-rebound double-double from Vucevic weren't enough as Chicago lost its second straight game on the heels of a four-game winning streak.

DeMar DeRozan added 14 points for the Bulls, while White had eight assists. Alex Caruso (left ankle) missed the game due to injury.

Julian Strawther (16 points), Aaron Gordon (14) and Christian Braun (13) each scored in double figures for the Nuggets, while DeAndre Jordan grabbed 10 rebounds.

Denver led 57-50 at halftime behind 16 points from Jackson and 11 from Braun. Vucevic had 17 points and 12 rebounds at the break.

The Nuggets swept the season series after winning by 22 on their home floor on Nov. 4.

—Field Level Media

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