On Thursday night, the New York Knicks (41-28) wrapped up a successful four-game Western Conference swing with a tilt against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets (49-21). New York had won the first three games of the swing, but tonight’s opponent was the toughest they would face.
The Knicks shamed Denver, 122-84, on January 25. The Nuggets sought to redeem that tonight. New York’s small-ball lineup gained an early lead and shot well, but powered by Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, Denver fought back to take a 61-56 into halftime. All game long, the hosts owned the boards and they finished the third period ahead by 12.