As the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. is well aware, the trade deadline is part of the business in the NBA. “As long as I’m here, I’m going to be here and I’m going to be happy, and I’m going to play hard and try to be available and try to help win games,

Michael Porter Jr. tied a career high with 39 points on the eve of the trade deadline, Nikola Jokic added 38 and the Denver Nuggets beat the struggling New Orleans Pelicans 144-119 on Wednesday night for their fourth straight win.

Michael Porter Jr. has kept his focus on swishing shots, not the swirling trade rumors. He’s tuned them out, in fact, and turned up his game. On Wednesday night, the Denver Nuggets' sharpshooting forward tied a career high with 39 points in a 144-119 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.