Nuggets guard Monte Morris, left, drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey in the second quarter in Denver on Tuesday. (AP photo)

Jokic was glad to see Plumlee, his former backup, and Grant, who helped the Nuggets make a deep run in the bubble last season.

“Everybody, that team from last year, I’m going to remember those guys for the rest of my life,” Jokic said. “We made history, something no one had ever done, coming back from 3-1 two times. … So it’s always going to be nice to see them.”

Jokic also dished out 11 assists, his 83rd career double-digit assist game, two more than Wilt Chamberlain had in his Hall of Fame career.

The Nuggets got 25 points from Michael Porter Jr. and 24 from Will Barton. Denver led by as many as 28 before sitting most of their starters early in the second half.

Detroit Pistons guard Deividas Sirvydis, right, is fouled by Thunder guard Justin Robinson in the second half Monday in Oklahoma City. (AP photo)

Grant has had a breakout season in Detroit, where he brought a 22.4-point scoring average into Denver. He scored 29 points over 30 minutes to go with Saddiq Bey’s 25 points.

“I know I have to be aggressive in order to give us a chance,” Grant said.