Bulls Rally in Mile High City, Hold Off Nuggets 130-127

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

DENVER — Kevin Huerter and Nikola Vucevic delivered clutch 3-pointers down the stretch as the Chicago Bulls overcame a triple-double by Nikola Jokic to defeat the Denver Nuggets 130-127 on Monday night. The Bulls battled through a rollercoaster game, squandering an 18-point first-half lead and letting a 13-point advantage in the fourth quarter slip away before mounting a late surge to snap a five-game losing streak. Huerter ignited the decisive sequence with a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:25 left, and Vucevic extended the lead with another from deep with 33 seconds remaining. The Nuggets had one last chance to tie it, but Jokic’s buzzer-beater attempt clanged off the rim. Ayo Dosunmu and Josh Giddey paced Chicago with 21 points apiece. Giddey also hauled in 14 rebounds, while six Bulls players finished in double figures. The Bulls’ bench dominated, outscoring Denver’s reserves 66-9.

Despite traveling from Utah after a grueling 150-147 double-overtime loss to the Jazz the night before, Chicago showed no signs of fatigue in Denver.

Jokic posted a remarkable 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists, marking his eighth triple-double of the season. Jamal Murray added 34 points, 18 of them coming in the fourth quarter. Aaron Gordon contributed 24 points for the Nuggets, who saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end. Denver continued to be without shooting guard Christian Braun, sidelined with a left ankle injury. The Bulls were missing Coby White, who sat out with a strained right calf after scoring 27 points in Sunday’s matchup.

Up next:

• Bulls: Conclude a four-game road trip Wednesday at Portland.

• Nuggets: Start a two-game trip Wednesday in New Orleans.