Westbrook scores 21 points, Jokic has a triple-double and the Nuggets beat the Raptors 121-119

Russell Westbrook scored 21 points and played smothering defense connected nan last play of nan game, and nan Denver Nuggets hit nan Toronto Raptors 121-119

DENVER -- Russell Westbrook scored 21 points and played smothering defense connected nan last play of nan game, and nan Denver Nuggets hit nan Toronto Raptors 121-119 connected Monday night.

Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists for his 3rd triple-double successful 4 games for Denver, which played without Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) and mislaid Aaron Gordon to a correct calf strain successful nan first quarter.

The Nuggets trailed 109-98 pinch 5:45 near but rallied to return a 118-117 lead connected Peyton Watson’s 3-pointer. The teams traded baskets and Julian Strawther divided a brace of free throws pinch 12 seconds left.

That gave Toronto a chance but connected nan last play Westbrook blanketed RJ Barrett, whose 26-footer to triumph it astatine nan horn was short.

Barrett vanished pinch 18 points while Grady Dick had 26 and Jakob Poeltl scored 24.

Raptors: Help mightiness beryllium connected nan measurement sooner than expected. Forward Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture) won’t request room astatine this point, according to coach Darko Rajakovic. Barnes has not played since nan location nonaccomplishment to Denver connected Oct. 28

Nuggets: The injuries person put much unit connected nan chair to travel through. Swather has played good nan past fewer games and Hunter Tyson is making nan astir of his opportunity.

Toronto led by six earlier Poeltl picked up his 5th and sixth fouls successful a span of 23 seconds. The Nuggets outscored nan Raptors 14-8 aft Poeltl fouled out.

Jokic has 3 triple-doubles successful nan past 4 games and missed a 4th by 1 rebound against Minnesota connected Friday night. He besides had 7 turnovers against Toronto.

The Raptors recreation to Sacramento connected Wednesday nighttime while nan Nuggets big Oklahoma City for nan 2nd clip successful 2 weeks.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL