Quebec’s Bennedict Mathurin had the second performance of at least 30 points of his young career, but it wasn’t enough for the Indiana Pacers, who lost 122 to 119 against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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The crowd favorites could well have forced overtime, but Myles Turner’s three-point shot, at the sound of the bell, did not go into the basket.
Coming back to Mathurin, he sank 10 of his 17 shots, including six of his nine from downtown, as well as four of his six free throws, for 30 points. He was particularly amazing in the first half, he retired to the locker room with 23 points on his record, including 15 thanks to three-point shots.
Tyrese Haliburton did try to help his teammate, with 21 points on his own, but to no avail.
On the Nuggets side, everyone put their shoulder to the wheel, as six players broke the 15-point mark, including Nikola Jokic, who was the most productive with 24 points. Aaron Gordon also played a leading role, with 18 points – as did Canadian Jamal Murray – in addition to adding 16 rebounds.
The Pacers will now enjoy two days without a game before hosting the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.
Raptors come out on top against Rockets
In Toronto, the Raptors rectified a slow start to ultimately defeat the Houston Rockets 116-109.
Nick Nurse’s men got off to a bad start, allowing the league’s worst team 37 points in the first quarter and responding with only 29 points.
They were more convincing afterwards, however, scoring more points than their rivals in each of the remaining three quarters. They also recovered fairly quickly, dominating the second quarter 28-17, to retreat to the locker room with a three-point lead.
Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby were the most productive for the crowd favorites, with 32 and 27 points respectively. Quebecer Chris Boucher was on the floor just over 13 minutes, scoring two points in addition to recovering four rebounds.
Jalen Green ensured the reply of the visitors with 21 points.
The Raptors will cross south of the Canada-US border to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday before facing Quebec’s Bennedict Mathurin and the Pacers the next day.