The Denver Nuggets kept a good thing going on Monday night, beating a loaded Houston Rockets squad 128-125 in a controversial overtime finish in Denver on Monday night. Regardless, the Nuggets have now won five games in a row and six of their last seven to continue their fastest start to a season in franchise history by moving to 19-6 overall.

Nikola Jokic predictably led the way with his 12th triple-double of the year, tallying a stat line of 39 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists that would be a career day for most any other player but for Jokic is just another day at the office. His partner in crime, Jamal Murray, was right behind him with 35 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field overall. 

In Murray’s case, it goes without saying that 35 points on 9-of-17 from the field means that you were making your living at the free-throw line most of the night. Murray made 14-of-15 attempts from the charity stripe on Monday, but given the Rockets’ trademark physicality, it’s hard to argue they weren’t earned. 

“It was really physical, especially inside,” Murray said. “It's always a box-out matchup and a fast-paced game, you know what I'm saying, it's always a fun game. We know what it is, it's always physical. It's going to be a game you have to be ready for, individually and as a team.”

The win also ended a curious four-game home losing skid for the Nuggets dating back to a 130-127 loss to the Chicago Bulls nearly an entire calendar month ago on Nov. 17. The Rockets put together runs at various points that would have made you think a fifth straight home loss was on the horizon, but Murray and the Nuggets held their ground. 

“We haven't played well at home, or shot well at home at least,” Murray said. “We just wanted to make sure that we answered back quickly, and we did that. It was good. It's not always going to be perfect. You just got to find a way to win the game, find a way to impact the game. Everybody who comes in. I thought we did a good job just asking or giving whatever the game asked for.”

The Nuggets will look to win their sixth straight game on Thursday, as the Orlando Magic are set to travel to Denver for a matchup between teams that could very possibly find themselves in their respective Conference Finals or beyond.