Andrew Nembhard returns for Pacers but they get blown out as Nikola Jokic has triple-double
DENVER — Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic posted 32 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists for his sixth triple-double in nine games to lead the Nuggets to a 117-100 win over the Pacers at Ball Arena on Saturday night.
The Pacers fell to 1-8 and have lost three straight games since their win over the Warriors on Nov. 1. The Nuggets improved to 7-2 and have won four straight.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 17 points for the Nuggets. Forward Peyton Watson added 16 and forward Cameron Johnson added 12. Forward Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with 25. Guard Andrew Nembhard scored 22 in his first game back from a shoulder injury. Forward Pascal Siakam added 14 points.
Here are three observations.
Nikola Jokic was too much
Every time it seemed like the Pacers might make a comeback in this one, Nikola Jokic provided a reminder of why he’s a three-time MVP and considered by many to be the best player in the world.
Jokic recorded his sixth triple-double in the season’s first nine games by the 7:00 mark of the third quarter. He finished with a brilliantly efficient 32 points on 10 of 14 shooting to go with 14 rebounds and 14 assists. He drilled his only 3-pointer and also made 11 of 12 free throws.
And as usual, the 7-footer’s passing set up so much else. He was brilliant at finding sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr., who could have a career renaissance with Jokic. Hardaway scored 17 points on 6 of 13 shooting including 5 of 9 from 3-point range.
Andrew Nembhard eventually finds rhythm in first game back
The return of Andrew Nembhard after he missed seven games with a left shoulder strain was warmly welcomed by the Pacers considering all they’ve had to do to put a point guard on the floor. They’ve used their whole complement of two-way contract guards, shifted Ben Sheppard over to the position, had power forward Pascal Siakam handle the ball and sign multiple point guards form elsewhere to try to make it work.
It took a minute for Nembhard to find his rhythm and in particular to find his outside shot. He seemed to be determined to take and hit a 3, and in the first quarter he was 2 of 5 from the floor, but 0 of 3 from 3. He missed his first five 3-pointers before he finally got one to fall and at the end of the first half he was 4 of 12 from the floor and 1 of 7 from 3.
Nevertheless he persisted and hit his next 3 and found other scoring opportunities in the mid-range and at the foul line. He finished with 22 points on 7 of 20 shooting including 2 of 9 3-pointers as well as six assists against three turnovers. Rick Carlisle said he would follow Nembhard’s minutes closely, but Nembhard ended up playing 33.
Aaron Nesmith finds shooting stroke
Aaron Nesmith has struggled with the added offensive responsibility he’s had to take on with so many key players injured. He’s been asked to do a lot more off the dribble, a lot more creating of his own shot and a lot more shooting contested jumpers than he’s used to and he hasn’t been his normally efficient self. He’s had a few brilliant performances mixed in with his early season struggles, but he still entered Saturday’s game shooting 34.2% from the floor and 34.3% from 3-point range. Last year, he made 50.7% of his field goals and 43.1% of his 3-pointers in the regular season and 47.2% of his shots and an incredible 49.2% of his 3s in the playoffs.
But the return of Nembhard and the addition of Monte Morris took some of the ball-handling responsibilities off his plate and he seemed to find a much more comfortable flow to his game. He hit 6 of his first 7 shots and finished 7 of 10 from the floor and 3 of 4 from 3-point range for 25 points. He was also 8 of 8 from the line where he’s also had some unusual struggles this season.
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