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Nikola Jokić didn't have to struggle too much in the match against the Phoenix Suns because his Denver team finally won a game without any problems. The team from Arizona lost to Colorado (117:90) and Jokić scored 32 points and seven assists in 30 minutes. Jamal Murray missed the game, so Russell Westbrook started at point guard.
Jalen Pickett, who had eight assists, organized the game brilliantly from the bench. He received special praise from the NBA's best player. Jokić believes that he is a great player who knows how to control the game. Pickett showed once again how important he is to the team, and the Serbian basketball player is delighted with his progress.
"He was very good. He controlled the game, he was calm and he raised the game to a higher level. He did it in the development league, and I'm happy for him because he's finally doing it in the NBA," - he said.
It wasn't just the backup point guard that got praise, so did Hunter Tyson, who scored six points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench.
"It's not easy. I think Hunter always plays well for us, with a lot of energy, he's great on the rebound, he's loud and plays great defense. I think he's doing a very good job and earning minutes," Jokić concluded in his statement on the field after the game .
The Serbian center does not like to make statements, but this time he had to attend a press conference, where he also expressed his impressions of the match.
"It seems that we like to play when it's difficult; we don't like to have it easy. Every time we have a few days off, it seems that we play badly. Maybe until the end of the year we play every day and until the end of the season," the Serbian center joked.
Nikola Jokić: We played great defense
Defense was the key to victory, MVP believes.
"We flew on the field, especially in the second half. We forced them to do something more. They scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, and that was great for us. We played great defense. We dominated the second half and deserved to win".
The new sneakers, brand "361", perfectly suit the Serbian center.
"I feel good, I like how I feel in them, they are nice to my feet. When I signed with them, that was the key thing for me. I play a lot of matches, train a lot and the main thing for me was comfort. I feel great in them" .
There was talk again about Jalen Pickett, who is getting more and more minutes.
"The fact that he gets more minutes means that he plays with the first five, so he will gain experience. When you play a little less minutes, everything develops quickly, I was in such a situation. You don't have much time to show that you are better, but when you get more minutes to play, then it means something to you".
How different is Denver with and without Jamal Murray? Jokić stressed that Murray is now much more aggressive; he is more committed and has a greater desire to succeed. Murray is a player who raises team spirit, has charisma, and knows how to motivate his teammates. Having such a player on the team gives additional strength to everyone within the team.
"He's different offensively. Since he came back after the injury, he plays differently. He's more aggressive, he cares more, he wants to win... He always brings good energy and transfers it to all of us. That's how he has to play for us so that we can be better. We know how good a point guard he is, and when he's on the floor, I think there's more space for others."
Jokić is aware that Jusuf Nurkić is a tough opponent who has caused him problems before. The Serbian basketball player stresses that Nurkić is the profile of a player who is great defensively and who pushes him to be even better.
"I think he does a good job, especially defensively. He always forces me to try something new and to always have an extra move. He is a great defender and always guards me well. I hit a few more shots tonight, but when I play against him, I always makes me be better".- he said.
They have a Catholic Christmas game coming up, but that doesn't interest the Serbian national team too much.
"It doesn't mean anything to me, it's not my Christmas. For me it's like any other game," concluded Jokić.
English (US)