SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Denver Nuggets delivered an offensive clinic Thursday night, cruising to a 136-105 road victory over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Denver seized control immediately, erupting for 41 points in the first quarter and leading by 23 at halftime. The Nuggets never relented, shooting a blistering percentage from the floor to secure the win. The Kings, who fell to 6-19, could not match Denver’s efficiency despite a balanced scoring effort. The Nuggets improved to 18-6 with the win, which avenged a home loss to Sacramento on Nov. 22. An announced crowd of 16,307 watched as Denver easily covered the 9-point spread as road favorites.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Denver Nuggets, led by a dominant and efficient performance from Nikola Jokic, delivered a decisive 136-105 road victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night at Golden 1 Center, avenging a home loss to the same team just three weeks prior. From the opening tip, the Nuggets imposed their will, particularly on the offensive end. Denver exploded for 41 points in the first quarter, shooting a blistering 59% from the field. Jokic was the catalyst, scoring 15 points in the period on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting, setting an immediate tone that the Kings could not answer. While Sacramento’s Malik Monk kept his team within striking distance with 11 first-quarter points, the defensive intensity and offensive execution that would define the night were already firmly in Denver’s control. The most critical phase of the game spanned the final minutes of the first quarter and the opening minutes of the second. After a Monk three-pointer brought Sacramento to within 24-19 with 1:14 left in the first, the Nuggets closed the quarter on a 6-0 run, capped by two Jokic free throws. Denver then opened the second quarter with a 7-0 burst, featuring a three-pointer from center Jonas Valanciunas. That 13-0 run overall stretched a five-point lead to 18, establishing a 48-30 advantage from which the Kings would never recover. Sacramento never got the deficit back to single digits for the remainder of the contest. Jokic, the reigning league MVP, was the game’s undisputed star. He finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists in just 29 minutes of work, sitting out the entire fourth quarter with the outcome long decided. He shot 13-for-16 from the field and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line, orchestrating the Denver offense with his typical blend of power and precision. This continued a remarkable stretch for the center, who is averaging over 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in his last five games. He received ample support. Peyton Watson provided a significant spark off the bench with 21 points, while Valanciunas added 15 points and 6 rebounds in 19 minutes. Jamal Murray facilitated the offense with 9 assists to go with 11 points, and Bruce Brown filled the stat sheet with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 59.1% from the field and posted an elite offensive rating of 131.1 points per 100 possessions. The Kings, meanwhile, struggled mightily with their shot and ball security. They connected on just 11 of 38 attempts from three-point range and committed 16 turnovers, which Denver converted into 23 points. Malik Monk led Sacramento with 18 points and 5 assists, but shot 6-for-15. Rookie center Maxime Raynaud posted 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook added 17 points and 5 assists, but the team’s overall offensive rating of 101.0 paled in comparison to Denver’s explosive output. The victory improves Denver’s record to 18-6, solidifying their position among the Western Conference’s elite. They have now won four of their last five games. The Kings fall to 6-19, having lost seven of their last eight. The teams had split two previous meetings this season, with each winning on the other’s home floor, but this result was never in doubt after the first half, where Denver took a 77-54 lead into the break. Denver returns home to face the Houston Rockets on Monday. Sacramento continues a difficult stretch, traveling to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

Preview: Nuggets Look to Avenge Recent Loss to Struggling Kings SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Denver Nuggets, riding high near the top of the Western Conference, visit the struggling Sacramento Kings on Thursday night in a rematch of a high-scoring affair from just over two weeks ago. The Nuggets (17-6) enter on a three-game winning streak following a 115-106 victory at Charlotte on Sunday. Denver’s offense has been prolific, averaging 128.3 points during the streak. They will be seeking payback, however, after the Kings (6-18) handed them a 128-123 loss in Denver on Nov. 22. That defeat is one of only two for the Nuggets in their last 10 outings. Sacramento, conversely, has lost eight of its last 10 and is coming off a 116-105 loss at Indiana on Monday. The spotlight will be on the marquee matchup between Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Sacramento’s Russell Westbrook. Jokic, the reigning two-time MVP, is in dominant form, averaging a triple-double over his last five games (28.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 11.0 assists). He posted 44 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in the loss to Sacramento last month. Westbrook answered with 21 points, six rebounds and 11 assists in that Kings victory and is coming off a triple-double of his own Monday (24 points, 13 rebounds, 14 assists). His energetic play will be crucial for a Sacramento team that has struggled to find consistency. The Kings have shown they can challenge Denver, splitting the two meetings this season. The Nuggets won in Sacramento, 122-108, on Nov. 11. For Denver, guard Jamal Murray, who scored 34 points against Charlotte, provides a potent secondary scoring threat. For Sacramento, veteran DeMar DeRozan (20 points vs. Indiana) remains a primary offensive option. The game tips off at 7 p.m. PST at Golden 1 Center. Following this contest, the Nuggets return home to face Houston on Monday. The Kings begin a two-game trip Sunday in Minnesota.