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The Kings' season begins with a trip to the Rockies and in high attitude in the Denver Nuggets arena. The last conference finalist, still with the formidable Nikola Jokic and his armada, has shown good things in the bubble and wants to confirm this season. In contrast, the Kings want to start the season well and gain maximum confidence.

Kings: PG Fox SG Hield SF Barnes PF Holmes C Herrera

Nuggets: PG Harris SG Murray SF Porter Jr. PF Millsap C Jokic

The match will be started with a step back from Harris on an assist from Jokic. Obviously, Jokic is very serious today. He already made a shot in the first three minutes, three assists, and a block.

Hector has been relatively discreet since the beginning of the game, he does the work in defense, but Jokic is a headache for everyone. Hector is convinced: "Even though I worked this summer, he still has a big gap between him and me, but I believe that over time, I will reduce this gap."

It is an ambition ingrained in him, but from the outside, it is extravagant.

With 6 minutes passing in the first quarter, the Nuggets led by 6 points. On the ground, both sides come and go, not fierce but no one dares to relax. Hector has been clumsy from the start, and he missed both shots he attempted and only grabbed one rebound.

After a pick and roll with Cory Joseph, Hector rolls to the basket. Joseph has read the defense and, knowing that Hector is free under the basket, sends an alley-oop, concluded by a dunk from Hector. Then Hector will block a shot from Jokic on a play at the low post.

At 4:39, Hector gave way to Whiteside. The Nuggets led 18-22. Until the end of the quarter, the two teams will surrender the blows and conclude with a score of 25-31 for Denver.

Hector returned to the court early in the second quarter with more aggressive intentions. He missed the first but succeeded in the second. Following two successful free throws by Lamb, Hector caused a foul by Hartenstein. Hector challenged himself to finish over 85 percent on free throws this season. For a big man, we can say that it is a complicated objective, but he is confident because his system regulates his shooting mechanics, which had to be modified by force.

He recovered a rebound the following action following a missed shot by Morris and provoked an offensive charge from Hartenstein after a battle with a lost rebound. Troubled by fouls, Mike Malone had to bring Jokic in his place.

Hector sent an assist for Cory Joseph, who finished with a layup. Jokic again makes him a complicated shot, Hector did what he could, but Jokic is too strong. Hector answered him head-on at the low post with a spin move, Jokic being slow could not do anything. The love story is not over; Hector steals a ball on a bad pass from Jokic, who takes revenge by blocking a shot from Hector.

The ball arrived on the other side of the field in the blink of an eye. Hector returned to his place in time because he deliberately left a gap in the defense. Poor PJ Dozier falls into the trap and is blocked from behind by Hector.

The Nuggets lead 37-43, keeping that gap steady at 6 points. Hector grabbed the defensive rebound and made the pass to Guy. Guy observes and passes the ball to Hector. Hector temporizes him to look for a player, but Jokic needs to tighten on him in defense. So he makes a free shot from the shoulders of the racket. This is Hector's favorite place and two easy points for him.

Wharton is satisfied. He was worried about Hector's discretion at the start of the match, but it seems it was just a false start. Seeing that he is doing his part on the defensive side, he is much more reassured. A few seconds later, Wharton will ask for a timeout.

Hector walked off the field, replaced by Holmes. Wharton patted Hector on the shoulder and said, "Hector, rest for a moment. You've pulled yourself together."

Hector will not see the field again during the quarter, and the Nuggets will lead by 7 points at the end of the second quarter.

After a while, the second half began.

Both sides sent the main force, Jokic is still the best player on the court, and the third quarter will be one-sided.