The Nuggets are coming back to Denver with a 26-16 record after sweeping a couple of games in Florida.

Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 113-100 win over the Magic on Sunday in Orlando.

1. What’s best for the Nuggets isn’t best for Nikola Jokic’s Most Valuable Player candidacy. Jokic didn’t play in the fourth quarter thanks to a strong showing from Denver’s new-look second unit of Jamal Murray, Julian Strawther, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon and DeAndre Jordan to start the fourth quarter. Jokic still finished with his 18th triple-double of the season – 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists – despite watching the entire fourth quarter. He also added three steals and a trio of blocks. He made 7 of 9 shots from the field and all but one of his seven free throws while committing just two turnovers. That brings him even closer to averaging a triple-double. But he could’ve posted another one-of-a-kind stat line if he was needed in the fourth quarter. It’s better for the Nuggets that he didn’t play the fourth given his workload this season.

2. Christian Braun showed he is more than capable of being Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s replacement in his first game against his former teammate. Braun posed his first double-double of the season, recording 20 points and 11 rebounds in nearly 36 minutes of playing time. Braun shot 60% from the field, 33% from 3 and was perfect on seven free throw attempts. He added two assists and a block in nearly 36 minutes of playing time. Meanwhile, Caldwell-Pope finished with 12 points on 14 field goal attempts, shooting 29% from 3 against his former team, with four assists and a steal in 35 minutes of playing time. The Nuggets would be better had they not lost KCP, but Braun is doing an impressive job of filling the void.

3. Aaron Gordon was hardly at his best against the team that drafted him with the fourth overall pick back in 2014, but he’s continuing to provide value as he works his was back from a calf strain. Gordon came off the bench once again in his fourth game back. He scored efficiently with nine points on four shots and grabbed three rebounds. The negative showed up in the form of five turnovers, but Gordon’s selfless approach and willingness to come off the bench as he works his way back has given Michael Malone more time to evaluate his rotation moving forward. The Nuggets are 10-4 since Gordon suffered his latest injury on Christmas and appear to be finding a rhythm after winning for the sixth time in the last seven games.

NUGGETS 113, MAGIC 100

What happened: Denver trailed by one after the first quarter but took a 54-52 lead at halftime. The Nuggets extended the lead to 16 after the third quarter, and Nikola Jokic got the fourth quarter off after a strong stint from the second unit to start the fourth quarter.

What went right: After giving up 29 points in the first quarter, Denver allowed 25 or fewer points in the final three quarters. The Magic finished the game shooting 37% from the field and 29% from 3-point range, paving the way for Denver to close the trip to Florida 2-0.

What went wrong: Peyton Watson paid the price for his third, and most impressive, block of the first half. After denying Cole Anthony at the rim, it looked like Watson’s head hit the hardwood after the landing. The 22-year-old did not return to the game with what the team called a head contusion.

Highlight of the night: Nikola Jokic’s active hands helped Denver turn defense into easy offense in the middle of the third quarter. Jokic tipped a pass, eventually stole the ball and started Denver’s break with an outlet to Christian Braun. Braun and Russell Westbrook worked a quick give-and-go that ended with Braun throwing down a lob from Westbrook that gave the Nuggets a seven-point lead.

Up next: The Nuggets return to Denver for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.