DENVER (AP) – The Denver Nuggets achieved their 11th consecutive victory by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 127-107 in a game primarily featuring reserve players on Friday night.
Jonas Valanciunas led the Nuggets with season highs of 23 points and 17 rebounds.
With this win, Denver improved to 53-28, ensuring at least the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Julian Strawther and David Roddy also contributed significantly, scoring 22 and 21 points, respectively.
Nuggets Prioritize Rest
Despite competing for home-court advantage in the playoffs, the Nuggets opted to rest their entire starting lineup. A decisive 21-5 run at the start of the fourth quarter solidified their victory and positioned them to potentially secure the No. 3 seed. Entering the game, Denver held a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were set to face the Phoenix Suns.
Coach David Adelman emphasized the importance of making decisions that benefit the team. He stated, “I think you just have to play it out with decisions that are best for your team. And we feel like tonight, this is the best decision.”
Thunder’s Strategy
On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who clinched the top seed in the Western Conference earlier in the week, chose to rest most of their starters. Lu Dort was the only starting player to participate, finishing with five points. Coach Mark Daigneault indicated that Dort needed to play at least 20 minutes in the final two games to be eligible for certain season awards.
Daigneault called a timeout early in the third quarter to manage Dort’s playing time effectively. Branden Carlson emerged as the Thunder’s leading scorer with 23 points, while the team utilized an eight-man rotation to narrow a nine-point deficit to just two points late in the third quarter.
Upcoming Games
Looking ahead, the Nuggets will conclude their regular season against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night, while the Thunder will host the Phoenix Suns on the same day.