Jokic posts triple-double as Nuggets beat Bulls 133-128

Nikola Jokic had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on Sunday, October 11, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Chicago Bulls 133-128 in one of four preseason games.

Preseason results count for little. The regular season starts Tuesday, October 20, so the focus is on who produced.

Jokic's Keel Impact last season was 7.9. Impact is our plus-minus rating per 100 possessions: 0 is average, about +2 is a good starter and +5 an All-Star. Aaron Gordon added 25 points and 6 rebounds for Denver, and his Impact was 2.7. Our outlook has the Nuggets at 48 wins, third in the West.

Leonard Miller scored 26 points with 7 rebounds for Chicago. His Impact last season was -0.3 in 720 minutes, so the line is worth watching. Caleb Wilson, new to the NBA, had 17 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Our outlook has the Bulls at 30 wins, 13th in the East.

James Harden, new to Cleveland, led the Cavaliers with 24 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in a 119-105 win over the Magic. His Impact with the Clippers last season was 1.8.

Evan Mobley had 14 points and 7 rebounds, and his Impact was 2.8. Our outlook has Cleveland at 51 wins, third in the East.

Tristan da Silva led Orlando with 17 points. Jase Richardson had 12 points and 4 assists; his Impact last season was -1.9 in 589 minutes. The Magic are projected at 44 wins, ninth in the East.

Charlotte beat Milwaukee 105-90. Brandon Miller scored 18 points for the Hornets, and Naz Reid, new to Charlotte, added 16. Reid's Impact with Minnesota last season was 1.4. Our outlook has Charlotte at 44 wins, seventh in the East.

Tyler Herro, new to Milwaukee, led the Bucks with 18 points and 7 rebounds. His Impact with Miami last season was 0.5, in 33 games. The Bucks are projected at 33 wins, 11th in the East.

Dallas beat Houston 132-115. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 17 points, and Zaccharie Risacher, new to Dallas, had 16. Risacher's Impact with Atlanta last season was -1.3. Our outlook has Dallas at 32 wins, 14th in the West.

Marcus Smart, new to Houston, led the Rockets with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His Impact with the Lakers was 3.3. Reed Sheppard added 17 points. Our outlook has Houston at 48 wins, fourth in the West, so the loss means little.