DENVER (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 21 points and played suffocating defense on the final play of the game, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Toronto Raptors 121-119 on Monday.

Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists for his third triple-double in four games for Denver, which played without Jamal Murray (concussion protocol) and lost Aaron Gordon to a right calf strain in the first quarter .

The Nuggets trailed 109-98 with 5:45 left, but rallied to take a 118-117 lead on a 3-pointer by Peyton Watson. The teams traded baskets and Julian Strawther split a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left.

That gave Toronto a chance, but on the final play Westbrook pinned RJ Barrett, whose 26-foot shot to win at the buzzer was short.

Barrett finished with 18 points, while Gradey Dick scored 26 and Jakob Poeltl scored 24.

Takeaway meals

Raptors: Help could arrive sooner than expected. Forward Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture) will not need surgery at this time, according to coach Darko Rajakovic. Barnes has not played since the home loss to Denver on Oct. 28.

Nuggets: Injuries have put more pressure on the bench to get ahead. Swather has played well the last few games and Hunter Tyson is making the most of his opportunity.

Key moment

Toronto led by six before Poeltl committed his fifth and sixth fouls in a span of 23 seconds. The Nuggets outscored the Raptors 14-8 after Poeltl fouled out.

Key Statistics

Jokic has three triple-doubles in the last four games and missed a fourth on a rebound against Minnesota on Friday night. He also had seven turnovers against Toronto.

Next

The Raptors travel to Sacramento on Wednesday night, while the Nuggets host Oklahoma City for the second time in two weeks.

This story has been corrected to correct the spelling of Gradey Dick’s name.

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