NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Unquestionably, the best time for opponents to catch the Denver Nuggets is when they are without star center Nikola Jokic.<\/p>\n
The Pelicans had that chance Tuesday night (Jan. 13), but still managed to squander a late lead in a 122-116 loss to the shorthanded Nuggets.<\/p>\n
Jamal Murray poured in 35 points and Peyton Watson added 31 to lead Denver to its comeback victory, achieved by outscoring New Orleans 16-6 in the final four minutes.<\/p>\n
Jokic, the Nuggets\u2019 three-time NBA MVP and seven-time All-Star center, has been sidelined since Dec. 29 when he hyperextended his left knee.<\/p>\n
The Pelicans appeared in control for much of the game, taking a lead early in the second quarter and holding it until early in the fourth. New Orleans led by as many as nine points (69-60) with 10:13 left in the third quarter.<\/p>\n
Even after a couple of fourth-quarter lead changes, the Pelicans (9-33) still were up by four points at 110-106 with 4:04 left in the game.<\/p>\n
Then Denver (27-13) went on its 16-6 run to end the game, dropping the Pelicans to 6-18 at the Smoothie King Center.<\/p>\n
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 31 points, keeping up a hot January that has seen him average 31.3 points in the first five games of the new year.<\/p>\n
The Pelicans outrebounded the Nuggets, 50-33, but turned the ball over 14 times to Denver\u2019s seven.<\/p>\n
Saddiq Bey followed Murphy with 17 points, while Jordan Poole (16), Zion Williamson (12), Derik Queen (10) and Jeremiah Fears (10) also scored in double figures.<\/p>\n
The Pelicans are home again Wednesday night, hosting the Brooklyn Nets at 7 p.m. on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network.<\/p>\n
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