Rockets 100, Nuggets 120: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
“It’s a 4 quarter game. It’s 48 minutes, and that’s what it takes.”
Coach, after tonight’s win 🎙 pic.twitter.com/97AcCBI1VF – 12:39 AM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
NEW for @MileHighSports:
The Nuggets knew from the opening tip that they had this game in the bag.
The real concern is maintaining leads and finding ways to succeed for 48 minutes.
Still, it’s a great win. That’s what matters most.
milehighsports.com/nuggets-domina… – 12:34 AM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
The Rockets first quarter defensive rating the last two games is 162.3. – 12:26 AM

David Hardisty @clutchfans
Look at the defensive effort from KPJ and Sengun here. It’s… not good. pic.twitter.com/E0i4iTE8DN – 12:19 AM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Bruce took care of business tonight 💼
Result? DPOG CHAIN 🥶 pic.twitter.com/sQdFtbhRab – 12:05 AM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Final stats from tonight’s win pic.twitter.com/UntGX8xzDO – 12:00 AM

Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Did Aaron Gordon’s historic streak of shooting over 60% get snapped on the blocked dunk? – 11:49 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Asked Jeff Green who had more hops, him or Vlatko. He didn’t stutter.
“Vlatko.”
As media gathered around Air Vlatko, Jeff yelled “Dr. J, Dr. J. …. Dr. V!!” – 11:48 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Who we do it for 🫶 pic.twitter.com/qWPXnxq5mO – 11:43 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Jamal Murray just called Vlatko Čančar “Air Vlat” and I think that may stick. – 11:37 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Bruuuuuuuuce pic.twitter.com/O5lJr2j5cJ – 11:36 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Nuggets 120, Rockets 100: Houston mauled in Mile High mismatch houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 11:34 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Scoot led the squad in scoring
📊 23PTS
📊 5-7 from deep
@CreditKarma | #MoneyMoveoftheGame pic.twitter.com/TESXDWSxWX – 11:23 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The only players in NBA history to score 50+ points on 80% shooting or better:
Wilt Chamberlain
Michael Jordan
Kyrie Irving
Jamal Murray
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Karl Malone
Dana Barros
Adrian Dantley
Bernard King
Devin Booker – 11:21 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Next stop, Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/pWo1CJMXP1 – 11:17 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Heard these are in style now 🧢 pic.twitter.com/T6JD8oQfdM – 11:17 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Wednesday’s are for Ws pic.twitter.com/T39GRcNJap – 11:16 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Final rotations for the Nuggets as they defeat the Rockets 120-100 in a game that wasn’t that close:
-Joker: 17-9-12, attempted 9 shots
-Murray: 26 points on 9/15, 4/6 from 3, b2b awesome scoring games from him
-AG: 20 points
-BB: 18-5-4-2
-Vlatko strong performance pic.twitter.com/UUzMnIf2dw – 11:15 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nuggets are 14-7 after back-to-back easy wins over the Rockets. You can feel the run coming… – 11:13 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Joker SWAT leads to Jamal’s 26th point 🎯 pic.twitter.com/QZEtYRiYGN – 11:08 PM

Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Unsure why the Rockets put their starters back in down 20 knowing they want to lose.
Unsure why Nikola Jokic is back in, knowing that Houston wants to lose. – 11:05 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Twenty point lead, six minutes to go, and here comes Nikola Jokic. Jamal Murray and AG are already back out on the court. – 11:03 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets return starters Sengun, Porter and Green to the floor. Smith was already in. Still seven minutes left. Murray and Aaron Gordon also back in. Nuggets up 22. – 11:01 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
🔨🔨 pic.twitter.com/j84pmIpO5Q – 11:01 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Davon wanted to get in on the fun 💥🥳 pic.twitter.com/H9bgf29sVe – 11:00 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Current status: Having fun pic.twitter.com/uBgDdXENFW – 10:55 PM

Kelly Iko @KellyIko
Only 2 fast break points for Houston tonight compared to 21 for Denver. Just not able to generate many stops and get out and run. 106-79 with 9 minutes to go in this one. Rockets on their way to 5-16 — Suns, Warriors and 76ers up next. – 10:54 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Bring it home, fellas pic.twitter.com/xzhlm1RkfB – 10:49 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Nuggets 96, Rockets 72 after 3. Will gratefully assume there are just 12 minutes left. As with Monday’s fourth quarter, starters save Bruce Brown likely done for the night. – 10:47 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
left to play in Denver.
Rockets: 72
Nuggets: 96
@Kroger | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/NHhEL9oyJ0 – 10:47 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
there he goes AGAIN 👏
@Alperen Sengun slamming all over! pic.twitter.com/AqXBZStkxv – 10:46 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Joker with the contact 🪣
Now got a double-double with 12/6/11 pic.twitter.com/GqmoblwsyS – 10:44 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Does Jokic turn more aggressive when the possibility of sitting the fourth quarter presents itself? An investigation: – 10:41 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
So, I think we’ve discovered that Denver’s just not gonna be a “Blow this team out by 40” kinda team. They just don’t take the Rockets seriously, especially on November 30th.
It’s mostly just “Oh cool, in-game rest is fun.” – 10:41 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
It says a good deal about how dreadful the Rockets first half was that cutting the Denver lead to 19 feels like an accomplishment. But it was a considerable improvement. – 10:40 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Sengun slammin’ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gNhPbhGbmI – 10:34 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Nikola basically doubled his points with this deep bucket
He’s got 7/10/6 pic.twitter.com/8gDLl9syS3 – 10:32 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
💦 pic.twitter.com/zlXH5LeOTw – 10:29 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
It’s so cold in Ball Arena right now, I’m convinced it’s a business strategy to move some of last season’s #Nuggets sweatshirts. – 10:27 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Early timeout from Malone, and I definitely called that sitting here.
The aggression has left the building for Denver. – 10:26 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Bruce Brown putting on a show
He got 13 heading into the second half pic.twitter.com/vi7p3halNY – 10:22 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Joker being generous with the rock tonight 🪙
4 PTS(100 FG%), 6 REB, 10 AST pic.twitter.com/t0SxBgZAqi – 10:18 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Halftime in Denver. pic.twitter.com/kKKIf4mWhX – 10:11 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Halftime Stats pic.twitter.com/Da1DcvGlWI – 10:11 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Break time at Ball pic.twitter.com/pFyw16KnlU – 10:09 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Halftime rotations for the Nuggets as they lead the Rockets 74-47:
-Murray w/another 20-point half in a row
-Joker: 4-6-10, only a +13. he’s so bored
-AG: 15 points on 9 shots + 1 block
-BB: 13-3-2-1 steal pic.twitter.com/zrm5IamUQn – 10:08 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Nuggets 74, Rockets 47 at half. Nuggets led by as much as 33. Murray with 20, Jokic with 10 assists. – 10:08 PM

Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Let’s switch up the halftime tweet.
Nuggets are up 30 points. Nikola Jokic has 10 assists in the 1st half. Jamal Murray has 20 points in the first half
Try and come up with an argument that only Michael Malone could make in this one. – 10:06 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
The reactions just as good as the play pic.twitter.com/NLslYZjlOr – 10:06 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
The Nuggets’ leader in blocks over their last three games: Ish Smith, with four. – 10:06 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
The pass. The dunk. Brings a tear to our eye 🥲 pic.twitter.com/Yi5PAwceP8 – 10:06 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic has 10 assists tonight. There’s still 1:21 left in the 1st half. – 10:02 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Sure, a blind behind-the-back pass for a fastbreak dunk to Bruce Brown, and Joker’s got 10 assists in the first half. – 10:02 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
BRUCE BROWN OH MY – 10:02 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Jokic is actively trying not to shoot the basketball (just 2 for 2 so far) with 8 assists, and Denver’s up 27. Probably going to be the scoring that holds back another triple-double. – 9:59 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Jamal Murray firing on all cylinders
He’s got 17 PTS on 60 FG% pic.twitter.com/kuYe4EUX83 – 9:59 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Jokic has done great job choosing which wide open teammate to pass to. – 9:54 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
EG! 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/ocwWT3PHNv – 9:54 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
DJ flashes the 🥽 pic.twitter.com/DHnlDbsE6N – 9:54 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Alperen Sengun took a nasty spill chasing an offensive rebound. Nuggets challenge the call of a foul on Jamal Murray. Nuggets lead 56-28. Call overturned. Turned to a foul on Jabari Smith Jr. When nothing is going right … – 9:53 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
DJ getting in on the fun with the slam pic.twitter.com/VVVU0Gdv1c – 9:50 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Air Vlatko
@SportsAviation, did this show up on the radar? pic.twitter.com/nCbpyXklji – 9:47 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
DeAndre Jordan is throwing “goggle” dimes to Vlatko Cancar in the event you want to know how this game is going. The lead is 25 a few minutes into the 2nd quarter. Check in appropriately. – 9:46 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
DeAndre Jordan just sat down on a dude in the front row lmao – 9:45 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Bruce Brown just becoming a legit three-point shooter makes me question a lot about both the Pistons and Nets. – 9:43 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
1 down.
Rockets: 24
Nuggets: 44
@Kroger | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/lblHtmH9Y4 – 9:39 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Fun first quarter pic.twitter.com/tvjkKX1YMv – 9:39 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
AG with 11 in the first Q 🔥 pic.twitter.com/32rfAwnb9e – 9:38 PM

Katy Winge @katywinge
Highest scoring quarter of the season for the Nuggets to start tonight vs Houston.
44-24 after one. – 9:37 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Nuggets 44, Rockets 24 after 1. Nuggets top the 42 they scored in the first quarter on Monday for the most the Rockets have allowed in a quarter this season. Denver shooting 65.4 %, 60 % on 3s. – 9:37 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Rockets played that quarter like they wanted to leave Denver on Tuesday. It’s 44-24 after one, and Vlatko Cancar’s 6MOY case is gaining steam 😤 – 9:36 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
STRETCH pic.twitter.com/bK9usulKo7 – 9:34 PM

Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
What Vlatko Cancar just did, Michael Jordan won a dunk contest doing. pic.twitter.com/XvSCxfKoZL – 9:33 PM

Kelly Iko @KellyIko
Layup lines in Denver. Nuggets up by 21 already. 44-23 as the 1st whittles down. – 9:33 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Vlatko Cancar just dunked from a step inside the free-throw line. End the game now. It’s over. We’re done here. Shake hands. Let’s go home. – 9:33 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Oh my SENGUN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/j7j9zwLXS1 – 9:32 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Nuggets with 19 points in a span of 3:12. Just doing whatever they please. – 9:32 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
VLATKO COOKING – 9:32 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Ish Smith checks in ahad of Bones. Could just be caution on Malone’s part.
Second unit, so far is Ish, Davon, Vlatko, DJ and Bruce. – 9:31 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Hey, look, it’s former Rockets guard Smith. – 9:30 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Nuggets just played a promo on the jumbotron of DeAndre and Jeff battling it out in some cultural trivia. Those guys together are just effortlessly funny. Had the whole crowd rolling. – 9:28 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Jokic has been masterful as a playmaker but the Rockets defense is taking away … will get back to you when it takes something away. – 9:28 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
If the Nuggets don’t get a layup on every possession vs. the Rockets, it’s a disappointment. – 9:27 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
This just in: Aaron Gordon rules.
Another awesome start for AG. – 9:26 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
After that no-look to Jamal on the break, Joker’s now got six assists in seven minutes. – 9:25 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
look at Scoot GO 💨
@Toyota | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/CXnLLYckFu – 9:22 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
We don’t mind two deep buckets to get us started pic.twitter.com/Wzv4QENZ1D – 9:17 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Sengun really is the modern evolution of Enes Kanter, not Nikola Jokić. – 9:14 PM

Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Two possessions two 3s for the Nuggets to open the game against Houston. Bruce Brown with the first. Aaron Gordon with the second. – 9:12 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
PG’s ready pic.twitter.com/hhTzgRx1m4 – 9:10 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Alright, basketball time. We will see if the Nuggets can execute at a high level against the Rockets the second time around. – 9:10 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Let’s go pic.twitter.com/8NNlFBVJus – 8:53 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Same starters for Rockets, Nuggets.
Rockets: Gordon, Smith Jr., Sengun, Green, Porter Jr.
Nuggets: Brown, Gordon, Jokic, Caldwell-Pope, Murray. – 8:33 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Starting 5⃣ in Denver
@ReliantEnergy | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/PFFdS8yHFL – 8:32 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Both MPJ and Jeff Green are still out tonight, but it’s a good sign that they’re each getting work in before tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/lmRm1QnRNh – 8:30 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Starting 🖐
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/D9c25nh7VG – 8:29 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
in the building & ready to hoop pic.twitter.com/brATIBIhfn – 8:20 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Injury Update: Bones is available for tonight’s game
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/cJVLDMGHHV – 8:14 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Michael Malone wouldn’t commit to Bones being available, though Bones told us earlier today he was in. He also was already on the court warming up. I expect him to play. – 7:31 PM

Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Michael Malone did not commit to Bones Hyland playing tonight. Hyland told us after shootaround, he expects to play tonight. – 7:27 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Cold in Denver. Gotta layer up 🥶
#UltraDrip pic.twitter.com/Nkjj3xN8ri – 7:25 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Michael Malone didn’t confirm whether Bones Hyland would play tonight or not. Said that he would get with the medical staff and see how Bones feels.
I’d expect him to play since he was available at shootaround, but it’s not a guarantee. – 7:24 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
otw. pic.twitter.com/lziUWQJFgC – 7:10 PM

DeAndre Jordan @DeAndre
#35 @TobiOye… – 6:44 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Which team will finish with more assist?
@DraftKings | #Rockets – 6:36 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Feels good to have you back, Bizzy 🦴 pic.twitter.com/dmFxSth2kd – 6:22 PM

Eric Gordon @TheofficialEG10
TONIGHT GREEKS PIZZERIA will be open until 1am after the UNC v IU game.
Go Hoosiers!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ZQn1soDoDQ – 5:52 PM

Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
Nets centers since trading Jarrett Allen:
Nic Claxton
Day’Ron Sharpe
LaMarcus Aldridge
Andre Drummond
Blake Griffin
DeAndre Jordan
Norvel Pelle – 5:43 PM

Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Wanted to thank everyone for their kind words yesterday. Grief is a universal experience, even if the specifics are ours alone, and I appreciated all the thoughts and sentiments.
If someone wants to tell the Nuggets to win tonight so we can have more nice things, that works too. – 5:31 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
The Half Court competition continues 👑 pic.twitter.com/Q0CSA6MLF3 – 5:27 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Rockets revenge? Or Nuggets win?
Let’s see them pic.twitter.com/x1oLNr09iz – 5:15 PM

David Hardisty @clutchfans
Jabari Smith is #4 in the NBA’s Rookie Ladder, but what’s surprising is it says:
“The rumblings of trade interest from rival NBA teams hoping to buy low on the 19-year-old are another good reason not to lose faith in his potential.”
LOL no thanks. https://t.co/e4TlFglZv5 pic.twitter.com/U2UYAUw95r – 5:10 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Running it back in Denver!
8:00 PM Tip-Off
📺 @ATTSportsNetSW
📻 @SportsTalk790 / En Español 93.3 FM TUDN pic.twitter.com/87vYOVSY53 – 5:00 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Prove them wrong pic.twitter.com/cGPhtE4Re6 – 4:18 PM

Katy Winge @katywinge
Oh my gosh whoever did this I love you!
A photoshopped young Bruce Brown with a young Nikola Jokić. The Nuggets gear they are wearing, however, was not photoshopped.
DESTINY pic.twitter.com/5GHSzJrKQe – 4:14 PM

Denver Nuggets @nuggets
5 hours till Nuggs Hoops pic.twitter.com/4wCYghnCxH – 4:10 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Ish Smith to @DNVR_Sports: “When your superstar, your best player, is unselfish, it permeates throughout the entire team. It makes everyone else want to be unselfish.”
Smith talks Nikola Jokic, peaking too early in the season, and Denver’s team culture: thednvr.com/1-on-1-with-is… – 4:06 PM

Eric Woodyard @E_Woodyard
#Lions’ James Houston says GM Brad Holmes approached him after the Thanksgiving game to say he’d be getting signed to the active roster. “He was saying 30 other teams was probably gonna be calling about me,” he told ESPN. “I was upset we loss but I was happy with my performance.” – 3:43 PM

Katy Winge @katywinge
Asked Bones Hyland how frustrating this month has been for him, in and out of the lineup, battling sickness.
He’s really excited to be back. pic.twitter.com/eUnsI4ppjr – 3:39 PM

Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
Lots of Houston connections on the odds for next Stanford HC (per @SportsBettingAG )
Rice HC Mike Bloomgren…6-1
Former UH HC Tom Herman…10-1
Former Texans HC Bill O’Brien…11-1
Texans OC Pep Hamilton…18-1 pic.twitter.com/oHSTQ3JOMt – 3:08 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Officials for #Rockets #Nuggets Part II
Kevin Scott
Michael Smith
Cheryl Flores – 3:02 PM