Denver NuggetsOpen full analysis
Atlanta HawksOpen full analysis
The Denver Nuggets edged the Atlanta Hawks 134–133 on December 5 at State Farm Arena in a tightly contested matchup that finished just below the Vegas total of 238.5. Nikola Jokić led Denver with 40 points while Jamal Murray added 23, anchoring an offense that shot 52.8 percent from the field and made 16 three-pointers. Atlanta countered with N. Alexander-Walker's 30 points and Kristaps Porziņģis's 25, supported by a balanced attack that produced 35 assists on 51.6 percent shooting and 20 made threes. The decisive difference emerged in the second half, where Denver's third and fourth quarters combined for 80 points compared to Atlanta's 60, allowing the Nuggets to overcome a first-quarter deficit. Denver's defense held the Hawks to a 127.4 rating while forcing nine steals and six blocks, though both teams committed 12 turnovers each. The Nuggets' ability to dominate the final two quarters—outscoring Atlanta 40–30 in the third alone—proved critical in securing the road victory. Denver's second-half execution underscores their closing-time reliability as the season progresses.
