Nikola Jokic has 37 points to lead Nuggets past Pacers

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Nikola Jokic flirted with another triple-double with 37 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, helping the Denver Nuggets hold off the Indiana Pacers 125-118 on Wednesday night.

The Nuggets led by as many as 31 points in the second quarter before the Pacers stormed back. Indiana led 102-100 with 7:40 left in the fourth quarter before the Nuggets scored seven straight points to regain control.

Jokic made his first nine shots in the first half and finished 15 of 19 from the field for Denver. He fell one assist shy of his 20th triple-double of the season after getting one Monday night at Charlotte. Bones Hyland scored 20 points and Will Barton added 18 for the Nuggets, who shot 62.5% for the game.

"My frustration is we get bored with success," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "I hate when we get up 31 points early."

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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives on Indiana Pacers forward Justin Anderson (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. The Nuggets won 125-118. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Hyland said Malone told the team a win is a win.

"We pulled it out," Hyland said. "It may have been ugly. We have to clean things up. We could have won the game by a lot of points, but the biggest thing is we came out with a win.'"

The Nuggets had 19 turnovers, 11 more than the Pacers.

"We had too many turnovers, I had seven of them," Jokic said.

Malone said the important thing is the Nuggets are going back home as the No. 5 seed.

Seven of the nine Pacers who played scored in double figures, led by Buddy Hield with 20 points, Terry Taylor with 18