DENVER Nuggets completed their fight back from 15 points down to defeat Toronto Raptors in overtime, 127-125, in the 2024-25 NBA season on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.
Nikola Jokić led the way with a double-double of 40 points and 10 rebounds to go with four assists, two blocks, and a steal as the Nuggets finally nailed their first win of the season after a 0-2 start.
Jamal Murray and Christian Braun added 17 markers apiece, Aaron Gordon contributed 16 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Michael Porter Jr. ended with 13 points for Denver.
After being down by as many as 15 points in the second half, the Nuggets slowly clawed their way back until they forced an overtime on a reverse layup by Murray.
With the Nuggets holding to a 127-125 edge in the extension period, the Raptors had a chance to snatch the win but RJ Barrett missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Scottie Barnes finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, Barrett added 20 markers, Jacob Poeltl and Damion Mitchell had 16 each, while Gracey Dick and Ochai Agbaji ended with 15 apiece as the Raptors dropped to 1-3.
Meanwhile, Paolo Banchero tallied a career-high of 50 points as Orlando Magic (3-1) scored a 119-115 victory over Indiana Pacers (1-3) at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
Banchero, a former NBA top-overall pick, already had 37 points after the first two quarters before adding 13 more in the second half to prevent the fight back from the Pacers.
Jalen Suggs added 25 markers, seven assists, and five rebounds, Moritz Wagner contributed 14 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic.
Paskal Siakam finished with 26 points to lead Indiana, Tyrese Haliburton had 19 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, while Obi Toppin had 14 markers./PN
BOX SCORE:
DENVER 127 — Jokić 40, Murray 17, Braun 17, Gordon 16, Porter 15, Westbrook 9, Strawther 9, Watson 6, Saric 0.
TORONTO 125 — Barnes 21, Barrett 20, Poeltl 16, Mitchell 16, Dick 15, Agbaji 15, Shead 8, Mogbo 6, Boucher 4, Battle 4, Carton 0.
Quarterscores: 29-30, 54-62, 83-88, 114-114, 127-125.