Jokic scored 18+8+8 and the Nuggets defeated the Bulls with 24 points. Murray scored 30 points and Gidi scored 25+9+6.

On October 15th, the Nuggets faced the Bulls at home in the NBA preseason. Under the leadership of the Big Three of Jokic, Murray and Gordon, the Nuggets continued to suppress the Bulls and gradually expanded their 24-point lead to establish victory in advance. The Bulls fought back tenaciously and fell short. In the end, the Nuggets defeated the Bulls 124-117 and won three consecutive preseason games.

Statistics

Nuggets: Jokic 18 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, Murray 30 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, Jokic 18 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, Gordon 17 points, Kayo 11 points, Hardaway Jr. 10 points, Watson 10 points.

Bulls: Buzelis scored 3 three-pointers, 20 points and 5 blocks, Gidi scored 3 three-pointers, 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, Dosunmu had 11 points, Vucevic had 5 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.

Game Review

The Bulls lost 121-127 to the Bucks in their last preseason game. The Nuggets defeated the Raptors and Clippers in the past two preseason games and gained 2 consecutive victories. The Bulls lacked many players such as White, Huerter and Yuki Kawamura. The Nuggets fell behind 7-10 at the beginning of the first quarter. Murray and Jokic scored consecutively, leading the Nuggets to launch an 18-0 offensive and overtake by 15 points. The Nuggets continued to expand their 29-13 lead. The Bulls made more points to catch up to the single-digit gap. At the end of the first quarter, the Nuggets led the Bulls 37-29. The Nuggets made 10 of 24 in the first quarter, including 1 of 6 three-pointers, but made 16 of 17 free throws due to crazy fouls. Murray scored 10 points and Jokic 8+3+3. Bulls Buzelis, Dosunmu and Gidi each scored 9 points.

In the second quarter, the Nuggets scored 30+ points in two consecutive quarters. Murray continued to perform well in the second quarter, scoring 11 points in a single quarter, leading the Nuggets to maintain a 57-44 lead in the middle of the second quarter. The Nuggets later expanded their 67-48 lead to 19 points. The Bulls launched a 7-0 offensive to chase points. The Nuggets won another 4 points 30-26 in a single quarter. At the end of the first half, the Nuggets expanded their 67-55 lead over the Bulls to 12 points. In the first two quarters, both sides hit 6 three-pointers, and three of them scored in double figures. Murray had 21 points, Jokic had 10+4+4 points, Gordon had 10 points, Buzelis had 14 points, Dosunmu had 11 points, and Gidi had 19+6+3 three-pointers.

Back from the halftime break, the Nuggets scored 30+ points in three consecutive quarters, and completed their second 37-point performance in a single quarter in the third quarter. They continued to use excellent offense to suppress the Bulls. Jokic performed well in the third quarter with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, activating the Nuggets team's offense and gradually gaining an 82-60 lead. The Nuggets continued to suppress the Bulls after that. The Nuggets won another 9 points 37-28 in a single quarter. At the end of the third quarter, the Nuggets led the Bulls 104-83. In the first three quarters of the game, the Nuggets scored 13 more free throws at 32-19. Murray scored 28 points and Jokic 18+8+8, leading 5 Nuggets to score in double figures, 3 Bulls to score in double figures, Buzelis 20 points and Gidi 21+8+4.

The Nuggets entered the fourth quarter with a 21-point lead. Murray continued to make fouls and made two free throws to reach 30 points. The Bulls blossomed inside and outside and gradually caught up to 14 points. The Nuggets then attacked the inside and once again opened up a 20+ lead. The game had lost suspense in advance. Both sides started training mode. The Bulls took the opportunity to catch up to the single-digit gap. In the end, the Nuggets defeated the Bulls 124-117 and won three consecutive preseason games.

Starting lineup for both sides

Nuggets: Murray, Braun, Kayo, Gordon, Jokic

Bulls: Gidi, Dosunmu, Okoro, Buzelis, Vucevic

(Text/Drunk Wo Fusheng)