Nuggets whip Wizards, run win streak to six

[November 27, 2019]    Jerami Grant scored a season-high 20 points, Will Barton had 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Washington Wizards 117-104 on Tuesday night.

Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) dribbles the ball past Washington Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas (4) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Jamal Murray had 16 points, Mason Plumlee scored 15, and Nikola Jokic had a season-high 20 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have won six in a row.

Jordan McRae led the Wizards with 21 points. Davis Bertans, Bradley Beal and Moritz Wagner had 14 each for the Wizards, who have dropped their past two games.

Washington came into the night tied for second in the NBA in points per game at 119.1 but needed a big fourth quarter to surpass the 100-point mark. The Wizards' season low of 97 points came in the second game of the season and is the only time in 15 games the team has failed to reach 100 points.

The Wizards canceled their morning shootaround due to the winter storm that hit late Monday night. Up to 16 inches of snow fell in the metro area, but the storm had stopped by mid-afternoon.

The Nuggets led by 17 at halftime and 20 in the third quarter, but Washington was able to cut into the deficit with a couple of 3-pointers. Denver responded with a 7-2 run to push the lead back to 19 and closed out the third leading 86-69.

With most of both teams' starters on the bench in the fourth quarter, the Wizards made another small run to get within 14 on a couple of 3-pointers followed by a layup by Troy Brown Jr. with 5:08 left.

Denver called a timeout, and Barton subsequently was fouled on a 3-point make. He hit the free throw to complete the four-point play and push the lead to 107-89.

The game was tied early in the second quarter, and Denver led by only four nearly midway through the period before taking over the rest of the first half.

Grant had a three-point play, a pair of free throws and a dunk, Plumlee hit a little hook, and Murray dunked to put the Nuggets in front 51-38 with 4:41 left before the break.

Denver went on an 11-3 run to end the second quarter and take a 64-47 halftime lead.

--Field Level Media

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