Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets had the game of his NBA life and as a result the Toronto Raptors’ winning streak is history.
The Serbian rookie centre had career-highs of 27 points and 14 rebounds, and the Nuggets snapped the Raptors’ franchise-best 11-game winning streak 112-93 on Monday.
“My teammates, they give me the ball,” said the 20-year-old who entered the contest averaging just 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Denver coach Michael Malone gushed over Jokic’s outstanding effort.
“What a performance by Nikola,” he said. “Every time I think he’s reached the ceiling on his rookie season he finds a way to keep impressing me. I hope he keeps on doing that. He’s a hell of talent and I’m happy he’s part of our organization.
While rookie big men like New York’s Kristaps Porzingis, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor grab the headlines, Malone likes the upside of his big man.     
“You can talk about all of those young bigs, they’re all talented,” he said. “I don’t know their names but I know Nikola Jovic and I wouldn’t trade him for the world.
“He’s a special young man, a special talent and he’s only going to get better.”
Will Barton poured in 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and fellow reserve Randy Foye added 16 for Denver (19-30) who completed a 2-0 season series sweep over second best team in the East.     
“Our bench was terrific,” Malone said. “Will and Randy were great off the bench.”
The Nuggets led by 11 at halftime behind Jokic’s 15 points and carried an 80-65 cushion into the fourth frame before pushing it to as many as 27 en route to the stunner.
DeMar DeRozan tossed in 24 points but fellow All-Star Kyle Lowry finished with just 10 on 3-of-12 shooting for the Raptors (32-16), who suffered their first loss since January 4 at Cleveland.
“You can describe it any way you want to,” a ticked Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. “That was a stinker. That was one of our worst performances of the year.
“We played like we were playing in mud. You can blame it on the altitude, whatever it was. We stunk.”