NBA 2018-19: 4 Takeaways From Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets match up

#4 Nikola Jokic dominated this game

Toronto Raptors v Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic at 7 foot and 250 pounds, had 2 inches and 15 pounds on Serge Ibaka. Jokic's size gave Ibaka fits all night. With 7 seconds to play, on an inbounds play, with the clock stopped, Ibaka was called, for grabbing a fist full, of Jokic's jersey.

That foul led to Jokic hitting a free throw giving Denver a 104-103 lead. What compounded Ibaka's gaffe, even more, is Denver maintained possession on the throw in, in the offensive zone.

With the clock stopped at seven seconds, the Raptors had to foul again, on the inbounds pass, to avoid Denver running out the clock. However, it meant 2 more free throws, for Denver, who did not shoot well from the free throw line. However, they made these two, with about 5.6 seconds left, which rounded out the scoring, in the game, at 106-103 in favor of Denver.

It was clearly Jokic who dominated this game. He recorded a triple-double, with 23 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds. The Raptors did not have much, of an answer, for his game tonight. The Raptors' centers combined to matched Jokic's 23 points and together Valanciunas and Ibaka had 15 rebounds to Jokic's 11. Jokic was a +15, for Denver, while Ibaka was a -6 and Valanciuas broke even for the game.

On key hustle plays, the Raptors big men could not handle Jokic. During several battles for rebounds or loose balls, Ibaka was manhandled and bodied around, by Jokic.

This was the case even when Ibaka had box out position. Jokic's physicality created loose ball situations and extra possessions, for Denver. Finally, Toronto's centers could not and cannot duplicate the offensive creativity that Jokic provides Denver. In response to his 15 assists, Ibaka had two and Valanciunas had zero assists.