DENVER — The pledge from Jamal Murray: More Attempt. The promise from Nikola Jokic: More aggressiveness.

It added up to just the type of confidence-restoring, bounce-back functionality the Denver Nuggets needed.

Murray scored 22 of his 25 points in the third quarter, Jokic completed two rebounds shy of another triple-double and the Nuggets cruised past Chicago 135-105 on Thursday night for their 12th straight home win over the Bulls.

“This is the response we were all hoping for,” ” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

On Tuesday, the Nuggets were drubbed 142-111 by Golden State in a matchup of the top two clubs in the Western Conference. Before Thursday’s game, Malone contested his team.

More specifically, Murray and Jokic.

“I asked Nikola, ‘What exactly are you going to provide us tonight? ’ He stated, ‘I’m going to be competitive,’” Malone said. “I asked Jamal, ‘What exactly are you going to provide us tonight? ’ He stated, ‘I’m likely to play with good work. ’ I thought those guys did this. ”

The tandem had huge nights and didn’t even see the floor in the fourth quarter. Murray was believing it during his third-quarter spurt, hitting six shots from 3-point variety.

“Everyone knows once I create one or two, which ’s all I need,” Murray said. “After this, I’m locked . ”

Jokic did a small bit of everything, finishing with 18 points and 11 assists. He had a movement where he went across the waist with the ball to prevent a defender and drew a foul while making the shot. That kicked up chants of all “M-V-P! ”

He even helped the Nuggets defeat a slow start and actually contribute by as much as 40 points.

“We needed to wake up to try to play as though we were supposed to play, not just this game but every game,” Jokic stated. “When we got into the other equipment, we played the right way. ”

Another tough night for the Bulls, who haven’t knocked off the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center as Feb. 8, 2006. The Bulls also stay winless in 2019, with their losing streak extending to nine in a row.

“We’re just hoping to keep up our mind,” said Lauri Markkanen, who scored 27 as his team that finished a fruitless five-game excursion. “Obviously, it’s hard to keep losingweight. But no one is going to feel sorry for people , and such as I’ve said before on this road trip, we’ve only got to work through it and ’s all we can do. But yes, it is frustrating. ”

The Nuggets demonstrated no residual effects in the lopsided loss to the Warriors, in which they enabled the NBA-record, 51-point first quarter. Denver picked up the defensive intensity from the start and also limited the Bulls to 47 points at halftime. Only the type of defensive attempt Malone desired to see.

“Everybody donated,” Malone said. “A excellent response. ”

TIP-INS

Bulls: Rookie C Wendell Carter Jr. was ruled out with a sprained left thumb. He’s daily. … G Zach LaVine was held to eight points, well below his average of 23.2.

Nuggets: G Will Barton overlooked the game for personal reasons. … Denver struck a season-high 20 3-pointers.

Excellent DEFENSE

Bulls coach Jim Boylen chose a “bill ” overdue in the first quarter, even when Torrey Craig dropped on top of him after tumbling out of bounds. The ball was awarded to Chicago.

TOE-TO-TOE

Denver forward Paul Millsap said his fractured right big toe is “feeling great. ” The evidence may have been on his dip in the first quarter. He finished with 14 points.

“Feeling pretty resilient,” ” Millsap said. “It’s atmosphere refreshed. I will go get a pedicure. ”

LOOK WHO’S BACK

Nuggets guard Gary Harris returned after missing five games with hamstring tightness and scored 14 points at almost 19 minutes.

“He’s probably our most consistent players,” Malone said.

STEPPING UP

Boylen appreciated Kris Dunn requiring responsibility because of his less-than-stellar play at a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in this week. Dunn had six points and five turnovers against the Lakers.

“He took it onto the torso that he’s made to play better for us to become more prosperous,” Boylen said of Dunn, who had six points against Denver. “What we’re trying to do is to play better basketball and to own the ‘Bulls’ throughout our chest. ”

UP NEXT

Bulls: Host Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat on Saturday.

Nuggets: Finish a four-game homestand Saturday against Cleveland.

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