The Denver Nuggets asserted their dominance in Mexico City, dismantling the Indiana Pacers 114-102 in a contest that showcased their offensive fluidity. Nikola Jokic anchored the effort with a versatile 19 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists, scoring 10 of his points in the first quarter to set the tone. Supporting cast members Cameron Johnson and Jamal Murray contributed 18 and 16 points respectively, helping Denver extend their winning streak to four of their last five games.
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The decisive momentum shift occurred in the second quarter, where the Nuggets capitalized on a four-minute Indiana scoring drought with a 15-0 run. Murray’s jumper extended Denver’s lead to 64-37, their largest margin of the game, with under a minute remaining in the first half. While Indiana attempted a comeback in the third quarter, back-to-back three-pointers from Aaron Nesmith only trimmed the deficit to 79-67, proving insufficient to challenge Denver’s established rhythm.
For the Pacers, the loss marks their fifth defeat in their last six games, a slump exacerbated by the absence of All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton due to a hamstring strain. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points, while Larry Nance Jr. provided 15 off the bench, but the team struggled to contain Denver’s perimeter shooting. This result stands as the NBA’s 35th game played south of the border, highlighting the league’s continued international expansion while underscoring the gap in depth between the two rosters.
Source: Yahoo Sports
