NBA Game Notes (Dec. 20, 2022)
Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on December 20, 2022.
Lucky 13 for Jokic
Nikola Jokic recorded his second straight triple-double, tallying 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists as the Nuggets beat the Grizzlies 105-91. With the win, the Nuggets moved into a tie with the Grizzlies for first place in the Western Conference.
Jokic notched his sixth triple-double of the season — tying Luka Doncic for the league lead — and 82nd triple-double of his career. Jokic has shot at least 50% from the field in 64 of his triple-doubles, the fourth-most such games in NBA history.
Over his last five games, Jokic is averaging 30.4 PPG, 15.4 RPG, and 10.6 APG. The last NBA player to average at least 30 PPG, 15 RPG, and 10 APG over a five-game span was Wilt Chamberlain in 1968.
Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets in scoring with 24 points, shooting 9-16 from the field (56.3%). Gordon is averaging a career-high 17.3 PPG this season, with career-best shooting percentages of 60.9% from the field and 39.2% from 3-point range.
The Grizzlies’ Ja Morant scored a game-high 35 points and dished out 10 assists in the loss. It’s the sixth time Morant has recorded at least 35 points and 10 assists in a game. Only two other players in franchise history have recorded a 35-point, 10-assist game — Jason Williams and Mike Conley — both of whom did so just once.
Long Range Markkanen
Lauri Markkanen matched his career high with 38 points as the Jazz defeated the Pistons 126-111. Markkanen shot 13-20 from the field, including a career-best nine 3-pointers made.
Markkanen is just the second listed 7-footer in NBA history to make at least nine 3-pointers in a game. He joins Channing Frye, who also made nine 3-pointers for the Suns on April 11, 2011.
For the season, Markkanen is averaging 22.8 PPG on 53.4% shooting from the field and 43.8% shooting from 3-point range. All three figures are career highs.
Pistons rookie Jalen Duren had 15 points and 14 rebounds in the loss, making seven of his nine shots from the field. Duren has recorded at least 10 rebounds in each of his last seven games. The only teenager in NBA history with a longer such streak is Dwight Howard (nine games).
Fellow rookie Jaden Ivey scored a career-high 30 points, dished out five assists, and shot 11-14 from the field (71.4%). The last Pistons rookie to record at least 30 points and five assists with 70% shooting from the field was Grant Hill on April 2, 1995.
Bulls Stop Slide
Nikola Vucevic had 29 points and 12 rebounds to help the Bulls snap their four-game losing streak with a 113-103 win over the Heat. Vucevic made 13 of his 17 shots from the field, including three 3-pointers.
Teammate DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 24 points, five rebounds, and five assists, shooting 9-14 from the field (64.3%) and making all six of his free throws.
Zach LaVine contributed 21 points, seven assists, and six rebounds for the Bulls. It’s the 15th time Vucevic, DeRozan, and LaVine have each scored at least 20 points in the same game. The only trio in franchise history with more such games is Bob Love, Jerry Sloan, and Chet Walker with 30.
The Heat’s Bam Adebayo tallied 27 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in the loss, shooting 12-15 from the field (80.0%). Adebayo is the only player in franchise history to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a game while shooting 80% from the field. He’s now done so three times. The only active player with more such games is Nikola Jokic with seven.