Four games into an 82-game season, an 8-minute, 27-second stretch means little.

Then again, what the Nuggets’ bench did in the second quarter of a 122-88 cruiser over the Pelicans on Wednesday night at Ball Arena portends good things. The Nuggets, off to a 3-1 start, play at Portland on Friday night.

After playing the entire first quarter, star center Nikola Jokic was parked for the next 8:27, during which time the Nuggets outscored the Pelicans 17-8, extending their lead to 51-33. Coach David Adelman said he couldn’t remember the last time a healthy Jokic sat for so long a stretch.

Jokic liked his view from the sideline, especially the play of backup center Jonas Valanciunas, who became the hub of the offense and played solid defense on the other end. Valanciunas scored six points, d

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