Nikola Jokic's big night helps the Nuggets defeat the Raptors again

Nikola Jokic collected 28 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, Russell Westbrook scored 21 points and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Toronto Raptors 121:119 on Monday evening.

Michael Porter Jr. added 19 points for Denver, which played without guard Jamal Murray and lost Aaron Gordon to a right calf strain in the first quarter.

Grady Dick scored 26 points and Jakob Poeltl had 24 points before leaving for Toronto. RJ Barrett had 16 points and nine assists, but missed a three-pointer at the horn that would have clinched the win.

Denver got 17 points from Christian Braun, 16 from Peyton Watson and 13 from Julian Strawther and won another narrow victory against the Raptors. The Nuggets defeated Toronto 127-125 in overtime on October 28 in Toronto.

The Raptors led by five points at halftime and opened the third quarter with a 10-1 run to take a 74-60 lead and force a timeout for the Nuggets.

Denver rallied late in the period to get within 87-85, but the Raptors scored the next six points and took a 93-88 lead into the fourth.

Zeke Nnaji's dunk made it 93-90, but a 3-pointer from Barrett, two layups from Poeltl, a three-point play from Jamal Shead and Dick's driving layup gave Toronto a 109-98 lead with 5:45 left in the lead

The nuggets burst. Jokic hit a layup, Porter fed Watson for a three-point play and Jokic got the assist on a layup from Porter.

Jokic and Strawther each hit two free throws, Braun made a 3-pointer, Jokic scored with a hook shot and Watson's corner 3-pointer gave Denver a 118-117 lead.

Ochai Agbaji scored off an assist from Barrett, but Strawther made a layup and the Raptors couldn't convert on the other end.

Strawther tied a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left, and after a take foul, Barrett's 26-footer fell short with Westbrook over him.

Agbaji scored 16 points and Davion Mitchell 13 for Toronto.

The Nuggets started fast, but Toronto recovered to take a 37-34 lead after the first quarter. The Raptors led 57-49 after Dick hit a three-pointer and a layup with 4:39 left in the second. Denver got within two points but trailed 64-59 at halftime.

–Field level media