NBA Notes: Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Pacers, Andrew Nembhard, Celtics

Nuggets

Nikola Jokic isn’t scoring quite as much and that’s not bothering Denver one bit.

He’s averaging 24.4 points on 15.1 shots a night, down from 29.6 and nearly 20 attempts per game last season.

Coach David Adelman said this is intentional, as the Nuggets are seeking more balance, per Bennett Durando of the Denver Post.

“If we can get through games without having to post him up 25 times, I think that’s beneficial for us and his body,” Adelman said. “But if the game demands it, he will… trying to play that team game as much as we can.”

Denver also isn’t worried about Cameron Johnson’s slow start (7.5 points, 36.2 percent shooting). Jamal Murray said anyone panicking is overreacting.

“Everybody knows Cam can shoot,” Murray told Durando. “He didn’t just lose his arm.”

Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. has quietly become a weapon off the bench. He’s in double figures in five of eight and Adelman loves how quick his release is.

And Bruce Brown — who helped the Nuggets win a title in 2023 — says his goal is to reestablish his physical defensive identity when the playoffs come.

Pacers

Andrew Nembhard has missed seven straight but is trending toward returning Saturday in Denver, per Scott Agness of the Fieldhouse Files.

Indiana has been destroyed by injuries and desperately needs bodies. Newly signed Monte Morris will be active too, and against the franchise that drafted him (Denver).

“I think it’ll be good,” Morris said. “This is maybe the first team I’ve been on in the league with pace that I’m used to.”

Celtics

Jaylen Brown thinks officials are making a point with him. He said he felt it again Friday in a loss to Orlando.

“I think in the fourth quarter, I think the officials made their point,” Brown said, via Jay King of The Athletic. “So I get it. I’ll keep my mouth closed.”

He finished with 32 but only took two free throws.

Nevertheless, Boston is tinkering. Jordan Walsh is earning more trust. Anfernee Simons bounced back late. And MassLive’s Brian Robb even raised a question fans debated last summer — was it smarter to keep Derrick White over Jrue Holiday for salary reasons?

Winning masks everything. And Friday? That loss didn’t.