Nikola Jokic on Monday spoiled Doc Rivers’ debut as Milwaukee coach by recording his 14th triple-double of the season to help the Denver Nuggets surge past the Bucks 113-107.
Rivers saw the same thing coaching from the sideline as he did watching from his couch all season — a talented Milwaukee team who just need a little more time to take shape.
Also, that Jokic continues to be next-level at everything he does.
Photo: AFP
“They’re great,” Rivers said of his new squad. “They’re a very coachable team.”
Jokic finished with 25 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists. Jamal Murray scored 35 for the Nuggets, who gained separation during a late 8-0 run.
The game was a chance for Rivers to size up his built-to-win-now club. Bucks players made an instant impression with him — and he on them.
Photo: AFP
“He did a great job commanding the team, leading the team,” forward Khris Middleton said. “It’s going to take time for us to get used to him and him to see what we’ve been doing and how we’ve been successful so far this season and in the past.”
Rivers was lured out of his role as an analyst to take over for first-year Bucks coach Adrian Griffin, who was fired after 43 games and a 30-13 record.
The win was a milestone for Michael Malone — victory No. 400 as coach of the Nuggets.
“It means that I’ve been here a long time,” Malone said afterward.
In Houston, Texas, Jarred Vanderbilt of the Los Angeles Lakers was ejected in the second quarter of their 135-119 loss to the Rockets after getting two technical fouls during an exchange with Dillon Brooks.
Vanderbilt got his first technical foul after pushing Brooks below the neck after a basket by the Lakers with about 10 minutes left in the second quarter.
Brooks was walking away from Vanderbilt and had his back to him when Vanderbilt tapped him on the back of the head, drawing another technical and an immediate ejection.
Vanderbilt appeared to be upset after Brooks pushed him while he was in the air on a dunk about a minute earlier. He landed awkwardly after making that shot and fell to the ground. The play was reviewed to see if it was a flagrant foul, but was ruled a common foul after officials took a look.
Vanderbilt had three points and a steal in seven minutes when he was ejected with Houston leading 46-36.
Elsewhere on Monday, it was:
‧ Nets 147, Jazz 114
‧ Cavaliers 118, Clippers 108
‧ Mavericks 131, Magic 129
‧ Heat 105, Suns 118
‧ Hornets 92, Knicks 113
‧ Celtics 118, Pelicans 112
‧ Thunder 101, T’wolves 107
‧ Spurs 113, Wizards 118
‧ Trail Blazers 130, 76ers 104
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