Nikola is making his presence felt down the stretch, and that’s the way the Denver Nuggets want it.

„When the game’s on the line, we’re going to one guy: Nikola Jokic,“ Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. „He’s been able to score in the post against single coverage, double teams. We’ve won so many close games … and a lot of those you can attribute to Nikola being effective and efficient in the post and score, make the right play or go to the foul line and make a free throw.“

Jokic said he’s getting to the point where he’s looking for the ball and anticipating it will come his way at crunch time, and it’s a role he is embracing.

„Even if I don’t score, I think I can bring something. I can make a good pass,“ Jokic said. „I think the coaches are comfortable to call plays for me and I think the team trusts me.“

Jokic added 10 assists and nine rebounds to finish just shy of his 13th triple-double this season for the Nuggets who won their fifth straight and ninth in a row at home. They improved to 3-0 against the Thunder this season, clinching the four-game season series between the Northwest Division rivals.

The game remained tight down the stretch. Murray hit another 3-pointer and Jokic put in a layup around a Westbrook layup for a 112-106 Denver lead with 1:36 remaining. Jokic helped Denver solidify its lead and quash Oklahoma City’s comeback in the final moments by making five of six free throws to boost the Nuggets’ advantage to 117-108 with 44 seconds remaining.

Russell Westbrook finish an assist shy of a triple-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

ESPN