AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostGary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets and Jamal Murray (27) joke as they cruise against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPaul Millsap (4) of the Denver Nuggets awaits his introduction against the Houston Rockets before the first quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets stretches before the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDanuel House Jr. (4) of the Houston Rockets foul Juan Hernangomez (41) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Danuel House Jr. (4) of the Houston Rockets slaps Juan Hernangomez (41) of the Denver Nuggets on the butt after fouling him during the second quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRussell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets pass as Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets closes in on him at the rim during the second quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJames Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets drives on Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets steals an offensive rebound over PJ Tucker (17) of the Houston Rockets and Danuel House Jr. (4) during the second quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJames Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets speaks to the referee after drawing a foul from Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets looks up at the clock late against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets steals the ball from Juan Hernangomez (41) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets cannot handle a rebound as Danuel House Jr. (4) of the Houston Rockets races to it during the second quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets gets called for charging Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets as Paul Millsap (4) and Torrey Craig (3) add help defense during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets reacts to being called for charging Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Gary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets pins James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets in the corner during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJames Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets soars as he blocks Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets stands on the court against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Clint Capela (15) of the Houston Rockets fouls Torrey Craig (3) of the Denver Nuggets as James Harden (13) uses the illegal screen during the second quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Juan Hernangomez (41) of the Denver Nuggets gets smashed in the nose by James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets as Harden is called for an offensive foul during the second quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDenver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone argues a foul called against his player Jamal Murray (27), while playing the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTorrey Craig (3) of the Denver Nuggets blocks Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets jumps in disbelief after being called for a foul against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Austin Rivers (25) of the Houston Rockets pokes the ball away from Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets argues a call with a referee as he and teammates play the Houston Rockets during the third quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJames Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets watches from the ground as Torrey Craig (3) of the Denver Nuggets prepares to throw down a highlight jam after stealing the ball from Harden during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Fans cheer for Torrey Craig (3) of the Denver Nuggets his highlight jam proceeded by stealing the ball from James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Torrey Craig (3) of the Denver Nuggets bends over to take a breather after going on a tear with the second unit against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJames Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets bites his beard during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Juan Hernangomez (41) of the Denver Nuggets converts over Austin Rivers (25) of the Houston Rockets during the second quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets explains a miscommunication to teammate Nikola Jokic (15) as they play the Houston Rockets during the third quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Clint Capela (15) of the Houston Rockets blocks a pass by Jerami Grant (9) of the Denver Nuggets as he falls out of bounds during the second quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets defends James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets as he wrangles a loose ball during the third quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets pokes the ball away from Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets as Clint Capela (15) defends during the first quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets swats a rebound away from Tyson Chandler (19) of the Houston Rockets during the first quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMonte Morris (11) of the Denver Nuggets steals the ball from Austin Rivers (25) of the Houston Rockets during the second quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostGary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets holds his form as he nails a three against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Anonti pulls his glasses off as the Denver Nuggets outstep his squad during the third quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJerami Grant (9), Will Barton (5), Gary Harris (14) and Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets wait to renter the game against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets stands on the court against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets walks off the court with PJ Tucker (17) and Thabo Sefolosha (18) after the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Gary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets and Jamal Murray (27) leave the court after the fourth quarter of Denver's 105-95 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Denver Nuggets general manager Arturas Karnisovas pats star Nikola Jokic (15) after he led his team against the Houston Rockets in a 105-95 win on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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Gary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets and Jamal Murray (27) joke as they cruise against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Houston Rockets 105-95 behind Nikola Jokic’s 27 points and 12 rebounds. Houston Rockets star guard James Harden entered the game averaging a league best 39.2 points per game, but was held to 27 as the Denver defense stymied him.