The Nets overcame a big bounce-back night from Denver’s Nikola Jokic to win their third straight. In an offensive funk for the last four games, Jokic had a season-high 37 points and tied his career best with 21 rebounds.

It wasn’t enough to prevent Denver’s first home loss of the season,

Jokic took only one shot Wednesday night in a loss to Memphis, a 3-pointer in the final seconds that would have given Denver the win. He took only 18 shots in the first four games of November but topped that before the end of the third quarter.

He had 11 points in the first quarter and a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds at halftime.

„He was just aggressive,“ Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. „He took advantage of some chances.“

Jokic, normally jovial in postgame interviews, was subdued after Friday’s loss. He said he didn’t lack confidence in Memphis and said about Friday’s game that he „was feeling the ball tonight.“

GOT YOUR BACK

Malone defended Jokic for his comments last week that drew a $25,000 fine from the NBA. Jokic’s was dinged for his use of a gay slur after a win in Chicago on Oct. 31.

„There’s so many things being said about this poor kid, and I understand some of it,“ Malone said. „Those of us who know him, give the kid a break. He made a mistake, he paid for it, get off his back a little bit. He’s a great kid, he loves everybody and meant no offense to anybody. He’s going to be fine and let the kid be a 23-year-old young kid who’s going to have a great, great future in a Nuggets uniform.“

ESPN