Westbrook scores 21 points, Jokic has triple-double as Nuggets tip Raptors 121-119
DENVER (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 21 points and played smothering defence on the final play of the game, and the Denver Nuggets edged the Toronto Raptors 121-119 on Monday night.
Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists for his third triple-double in four games for Denver, which played without Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) and lost Aaron Gordon to a right calf strain in the first quarter.
The Nuggets trailed 109-98 with 5:45 left but rallied to take a 118-117 lead on Peyton Watson’s 3-pointer. The teams traded baskets and Julian Strawther split a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left.
That gave Toronto a chance but on the final play Westbrook blanketed RJ Barrett, whose 26-footer to win it at the buzzer was short.