Bulls fall short to Denver Nuggets, lose second in a row
CHICAGO (AP) — Reggie Jackson scored 25 points and short-handed Denver held off the Chicago Bulls for a 114-106 victory on Tuesday night after Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was ejected in the second quarter.
Michael Porter Jr. had 17 points and Aaron Gordon finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists, helping Denver to a gritty second straight win after a 129-122 victory at Atlanta on Monday night. Julian Strawther added 16 points.
Jackson made five 3-pointers as the reigning NBA champions went 14 for 30 from behind the arc. The Nuggets also beat the Bulls 123-101 in Denver on Nov. 4.
It was unclear what exactly Jokic did to warrant the ejection. It looked as if the two-time NBA MVP felt he was fouled when he missed a reverse layup with 1:12 left in the first half, and he said something in the direction of a referee as he made his way back down the court.
Jokic was promptly whistled for a technical and thrown out by official Mousa Dagher. The 7-foot center seemed confused by the sequence before making his way off the court.
Coby White led Chicago with 27 points, continuing his hot streak. Nikola Vucevic finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
The Bulls were coming off a 133-129 overtime loss at Milwaukee on Monday night that stopped a four-game win streak.
White went 8 for 15 from the floor, including a 5-for-10 performance from 3-point range. He is averaging 26.8 points in his last five games.
Denver opened an 80-64 lead on Porter's 3-pointer with 5:48 left in the third quarter. Porter's shot capped a 15-5 run by the Nuggets that was sparked by Gordon's driving jam.
Chicago pulled within five on Ayo Dosunmu's jumper with 1:47 left, but Strawther made a 3-pointer and two foul shots to help Denver carry a 92-80 lead into the fourth.
The Nuggets stayed in control throughout the final period. Gordon's 3 made it 109-96 with 3:20 left.
Already playing without Zach LaVine due to right foot inflammation, the Bulls rested Alex Caruso for the second straight game because of a sprained left ankle. But coach Billy Donovan made it sound as if Caruso could return soon.
"The fact that he's even going on the court to try to get himself ready to play I think would indicate that he's pretty close to being back," Donovan said. "It's just how much he feels like he can do."
The Nuggets played without Jamal Murray, who had 29 points and nine rebounds in Monday night's win. Murray has been dealing with a sore right ankle, and he rolled his left ankle in the first quarter against the Hawks.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Open a three-game homestand Thursday night against Brooklyn.
Bulls: At Miami on Thursday night and Saturday night.
