Sizzling Nuggets overwhelm Trail Blazers

Nikola Jokic had 40 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the host Denver Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 146-117 on Monday for their seventh straight win.

Denver's Christian Braun finished with 26 points, Julian Strawther scored 18 points and Jamal Murray had 17 points and eight assists before being ejected early in the fourth quarter. Jalen Pickett added 14 points and Zeke Nnaji chipped in 11 for the Nuggets, who were without Russell Westbrook (hamstring), Peyton Watson (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring).

Rookie Donovan Clingan scored a career-high 21 points, Dalano Banton contributed 22 and Anfernee Simons posted 17 for Portland. The Blazers have lost two straight games after winning 10 of their previous 11.

Portland was also short-handed, missing Jerami Grant (knee), Kris Murray (quad) and Robert Williams III (knee).

The Blazers trailed by 15 at intermission but quickly cut into their deficit with a 9-2 run to open the third quarter. They got within 72-64 after Denver coach Michael Malone and Jamal Murray were hit with technical fouls.

The Nuggets led 94-78 later in the period after Jokic and Jamal Murray took control. Jokic hit a layup and assisted on one for Jamal Murray, who hit a free throw to complete a three-point play. Jokic then made a running hook and added a three-point play of his own that pushed. Denver's lead to 99-80 with 3:39 left in the third.

Jokic finished his night with a jumper at the 2:14 mark and another hook shot that gave the Nuggets a 112-89 advantage in the final minute of the period.

The Denver lead grew to as many as 32 in the fourth.

The Nuggets led by 17, 36-19, with just over a minute left in the first quarter, but Portland closed the frame with an 8-2 run.

Jokic closed the first-half scoring with a layup, giving Denver a 70-55 cushion at the break.

--Field Level Media