DENVER (AP) — Trey Lyles scored a season-high 22 points, Mason Plumlee had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Orlando Magic 112-87 on Friday night.
Nikola Jokic finished with 11 assists and 10 rebounds but fell four points shy of a triple-double. It was the third time this season Jokic missed out on a triple-double because he failed to score 10 or more points.
Jokic assisted on Denver’s first four baskets of the game and nearly had a double-double at halftime. He only took seven shots and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
The Nuggets didn’t need him to win their second in a row at home. Lyles and Plumlee provided enough offense off the bench. Lyles finished four points shy of his career best.
Terence Ross led Orlando with 18 points and hit his first seven shots. His first miss came with 7:48 left and Denver comfortably ahead.
The Nuggets led by 11 early in the fourth quarter before pulling away for an easy win. Plumlee scored four straight points, Lyles hit a layup and a three-point play and Jamal Murray, who had 16 points, drained a 3-pointer from the top during a 17-2 run that gave Denver a 27-point lead.
TIP-INS
Magic: Nikola Vucevic had 16 points. ... Former Denver center Timofey Mozgov (sore right knee) has not played this season and coach Steve Clifford said he is “a ways away” from returning. ... Orlando has lost 14 of its last 16 games in Denver dating to 2003.
Nuggets: Denver is in the midst of its third back-to-back this season. The Nuggets are now 3-0 on the front end and 2-0 on the second night. ... Denver attempted 11 free throws in the first half after shooting just six at Minnesota on Wednesday night. ... 2018 draft pick Thomas Welsh scored his first NBA points. He finished with five in mop-up time.
UP NEXT
Magic: Visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Nuggets: Visits Oklahoma City on Saturday.
