Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic's big nights have Denver Nuggets on verge of significant win streak

For all that Michael Malone, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have accomplished with the Nuggets a 10-game win streak has eluded the group.

The Nuggets are on the precipice of their first 10-game win streak since 2013 after beating Charlotte, 129-115, on Thursday at Ball Arena.

Malone didnt care too much about streaks after a lackluster defensive performance for three quarters against a Hornets team that dropped to 14-40.

It beats the alternative.

Thats what it means.

I would much rather win nine in a row than lose nine in a row, Malone said.

I dont know what it says about us.

I dont think we played great tonight.

I thought our defense was absent for three quarters, but we did enough.

From Byron Beck to Kiki VanDeWeghe, Nuggets icons in awe of Nikola Jokic's greatness Denvers coach credited the lineup that started the fourth quarter Murray, Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Zeke Nnaji and DeAndre Jordan for setting the tone in the one quarter Denver did defend well.

That group was largely responsible for a 13-2 run that extended Denvers lead to 14 points in the middle of the fourth quarter before the closing lineup handled things from there.

Charlotte finished with 19 points in the fourth quarter after scoring 30, 28 and 38, respectively, in the first three.

Murray led the Nuggets with 34 points on 18 shots.

He made four 3s and scored 13 points of his points in the first quarter.

They was going under, Murray said, denying there was any emphasis to take more 3s or start aggressively.

It was just basic logic.

Jokic narrowly missed another triple-double with 29 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists.

Of his 22 shot attempts, 14 came from 3-point range, which set a new career-high.

Aaron Gordon (18), Strawther (16) and Christian Braun (10) also scored in double figures for Denver.

Mark Kiszla: Why Nikola Jokic, at age 30, has shot to become greatest NBA center of all time Mile Bridges led the Hornets with 36 points on 12-of-23 shooting.

With a healthy starting five to choose from, Malone went with the group that started the season together Murray, Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Gordon and Jokic while Westbrook returned to the bench.

Malone said Westbrook handled the news well when the veteran point guard was told he would be returning to a reserve role.

Westbrook had left the locker room before it was open to the media.

Rising Star Julian Strawther returns to Denver Nuggets with added confidence ahead of key stretch With Denvers ninth straight win and Memphiss loss in Indiana, the Nuggets climbed into second place in the Western Conference.

In order to reach 10 wins in a row, the Nuggets will have to beat the Lakers and their new superstar duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

This time of the year, its really important to stack wins.

Thats the most important thing.

Whether you played great, didnt play great, we won.

Theres a lot to clean up, Malone said, again mentioning his teams defense in the first three quarters.

Our schedule coming up is a bear, and well take it one game at a time.

Time for Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony to reconnect | NBA Insider NUGGETS 129, HORNETS 115 What happened: Denver led by eight after the first quarter and took a 66-58 lead to halftime.

Charlotte closed within three to start the fourth, but Denver maintained a lead the rest of the way to improve to 37-19.

What went right: The 3-point numbers broke right for Denver.

The Nuggets went 19 for 43 from 3-point range, while Charlotte finished 15 for 37.

Nikola Jokic attempted a career-high 14 3s, making six of them, while Jamal Murray went 7 for 10.

What went wrong: It looked like the Nuggets would cruise to victory.

Then, Charlotte dropped 38 points in the third quarter.

Highlight of the night: After a 0-for-8 start from the field, Michael Porter Jr.

made sure he got an easy one in the middle of the third quarter.

Porter caught the ball at the top of the key, drove past his defender and threw down a one-handed slam for his first field goal of the game.

He got another dunk on Denvers next possession.

Up next: The Nuggets stay in Denver for Saturdays game against LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers..

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