Golden State Warriors players rolled their eyes as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic approached the foul line. He was about to make his 15th and 16th free throw attempts.

Jokic finished the game with 18 free throws, a career high and an NBA record for the most such makes without a miss on Christmas Day. It was also tied for the second-most free throws for Christmas overall.

The Warriors weren’t particularly upset with Jokic’s officiating on Denver’s way to a 120-114 victory. The numerous bloody scratches he has after each game are evidence of the contact he works through.

However, Warriors coach Steve Kerr was dissatisfied with how fouling has been handled across the league.

“I have a problem with how we are legislating the defense out of the game,” Kerr told the media. “We’re allowing players to fudge their way to the foul line.” I wouldn’t have wanted to watch the second half of that game if I were a fan. It was revolting. It was just baiting the refs into making calls, but the refs have to make those calls… the players in this league are really smart. They’ve gotten smarter and smarter over the last decade. We have enabled the players, and they are fully exploiting it.

“It’s a parade to the free throw line, and it’s disgusting to watch.”

Jokic told ESPN that when he feels contact, he isn’t actively considering selling a call. His focus is on remaining aggressive and hoping for the whistle to blow.

However, Warriors guard Stephen Curry believes that the whistle will always benefit the player who can ensure that the official sees contact, often by exaggerating.

“It caters to guys who can sell calls.” Physicality exists. But it’s difficult because it’s inconsistent on both sides at times,” Curry explained. “On a night like tonight, when you feel physicality on one side and ticky-tack on the other, it changes the game’s complexity.” I’m not saying we don’t foul, but consistency is important when learning how to defend.”

There is no problem, according to Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, as long as a player is “selling” a call rather than flopping. Murray believes Jokic, the reigning Finals MVP, should get even more calls because he is averaging 5.9 free throw attempts per game and hitting a career-low 79.5% of them.

On Monday, Jokic’s presence at the foul line opened up his entire game, propelling him to 26 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field.

Jokic had only four free throw attempts and six points in the first half. He found his game in the third quarter, taking – and making – 10 more foul shots.

“I was missing shots, so I was just trying to be aggressive in another way, maybe play a little more physical” Jokic said in an interview with ESPN. “It just happened to be that night.” This is the largest amount I’ve ever had.”

The Nuggets were relieved to see Jokic draw fouls against the Warriors. The Nuggets entered Monday’s matinée ranked last in free throw rate (73%), and in the bottom ten in foul shots attempted per 100 possessions.

Part of the reason for the Nuggets’ low free throw shooting, according to Jokic, is that they haven’t been aggressive enough in working their way into the paint.

“It seems like even in transition we are going to the 3-point more, so we aren’t giving us an opportunity to get to the line,” Jokic said in an interview with ESPN.

Getting to the bonus point early allowed the Nuggets to live at the line, where they shot 32 free throws to Golden State’s 23 while repeatedly stopping the clock and setting their defense.

The Nuggets limited Curry to 18 points on 7-of-21 shooting and Klay Thompson to nine points on 3-of-12 shooting, with Thompson’s three-pointers accounting for all of his points.

Golden State had eight fast-break points to Denver’s 20. The Nuggets had been in the bottom five in the league in fast-break points over the previous ten games.

“It starts with defending and rebounding, and then guys giving themselves up and running,” Denver coach Michael Malone said of the turnaround on Monday. “Or, if you don’t get the ball, get to the corners and give the guys more room to operate.” That’s how we want to play, and we were able to do so well tonight.”