NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from the Denver Nuggets' win over the New York Knicks

Final Score: Denver Nuggets defeat New York Knicks 115-108

After closing out 2018 with two straight wins, the Nuggets were at home looking to continue their winning ways into 2019 and hosted the New York Knicks. The Knicks were coming off a 28-point blowout loss against the Jazz.

This was a tight contest at the end of two quarters and the Knicks took a one-point lead. Even though the Knicks were in the game and had the upper hand at the end of three quarters, a strong fourth quarter helped the Nuggets get the win. With this victory, the Nuggets have now won nine straight games at home.

The Knicks and the Nuggets will meet for the second and final time in regular-season in March, this time in New York. In this article, let us take a look at three of the talking points from the Nuggets' win over the Knicks.

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#3 Knicks lose their eighth straight game

This is Knicks' eighth straight defeat this season Credit: SNY

Nothing seems to be going right for the Knicks at the moment as they now lost eight straight games this season. Knicks, who are one of the worst teams in the league at the moment, are currently at the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference Standings.

The Knicks entered this season without their All-Star Center Kristaps Porzingis and no one had any expectations for this team. However, no one would have expected them to perform this bad and hold a 9-29 record.

However, there are still reasons to celebrate as the 19-year-old Rookie Kevin Knox has looked great and is definitely going to be the future of this franchise. With a tough schedule that includes the likes of Portland, Golden State, and Los Angeles among other really good teams, do not expect their losing streak to end any time soon.

#2 Nuggets' bench outscores the Knicks' bench 59-35

Malik Beasley came off the bench and scored 23 points for Nuggets

One thing that made a huge difference in this game was the amount of help the teams received from their bench players. While the Nuggets' bench players dominated with their performances, the same cannot be said of the Knicks' players.

Malik Beasley came off the bench and scored 23 points in 29 minutes of action. In his third season with the franchise, the Florida State University product has started performing to the level the Nuggets would appreciate and has been providing them solid scoring off the bench this season.

Paul Millsap, who returned from injury against the Suns, received extended minutes tonight and added 16 points to provide some spark off the bench. While the Nuggets' bench scored 59 points, the Knicks' bench players only contributed 34 points with Enes Kanter leading the pack with 17 points.

#1 Nikola Jokic's monster triple-double performance

Nikola Jokic's monster triple-double performance led the Nuggets to their third straight win

Stat line: 19 points, 14 rebounds, 15 assists, a steal and 3 blocks on 50.0 % shooting

Nikola Jokic's breakout season continues in the NBA as the Serbian professional came up big with a monster triple-double for the Nuggets. Jokic who had 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists in the win against the Phoenix Suns was once again at his usual best as he tallied 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 15 assists to lead the Nuggets to their third straight win.

With 4:09 remaining in the first quarter, he got fouled for an and-1 and made the free-throw to complete the three-point play and extend the Nuggets' lead to five points. The Knicks finished the first quarter strongly and took the 32-28 lead.

Towards the end of the fourth quarter, Jokic scored five straight points to help the Nuggets to victory. This was his third triple-double of the season.