PHILADELPHIA >> The 76ers looked hapless when they got clobbered at Ball Arena on Jan. 21. They looked like a reinvigorated force 10 days later, even short-handed.

It took a Nikola Jokic pick-and-pop 3-pointer with 40 seconds remaining for the Nuggets to end Philadelphia’s four-game win streak Friday night at Wells Fargo Center, 137-134 after a regaling night of optional defense.

“I’d rather clean up after an ugly win than a tough loss,” coach Michael Malone said.

Jokic’s three gave the Nuggets a 133-130 lead, then his driving bucket prevented them from needing to get a stop with the game on the line. The reigning league MVP scored 11 of Denver’s last 15 points. He answered a late Philadelphia 11-2 run by sinking a game-tying 3-pointer with 2:10 to play. He gave Denver a 130-128 lead with 59.7 seconds remaining, with three points the old-fashioned way. He wrapped up with 28 points, nine boards and 13 assists.

“I think that’s why you play, for those last minutes,” Jokic said.

Guerschon Yabusele’s contested heave came up short as time expired, allowing the Nuggets (29-19) to take a deep breath with their three-game skid snapped.

Jamal Murray continued to play with an attacking mindset, leading Denver with 31 points and 11 assists on a 12-for-22 night. Julian Strawther scored 18 in 19 minutes off the bench, also making a couple of key defensive plays in the fourth quarter. Jokic and Russell Westbrook both committed six turnovers, helping fuel Philadelphia’s 32 fast-break points. Westbrook exited the game with left hamstring tightness early in the fourth quarter and didn’t return.

“I just talked to him briefly after the game. He’s in the training room, getting treatment. … I have no idea what his status is or anything like that,” Malone said before the team flew to Charlotte for a back-to-back on Saturday night. “He had a smile on his face. Very happy that we won. Hopefully, we can get him back out there right away.”

The Sixers, playing without Joel Embiid and Paul George, got huge boosts from Tyrese Maxey (42 points) and Yabusele (28 and three steals). Eric Gordon buried deep 3s to keep them afloat in the fourth quarter whenever Denver threatened to pull away. Philadelphia shot 53% from three as a team.

“The sky is the limit for (Maxey),” Murray said, praising the guard’s summer-to-summer growth at being “a lot more patient” in getting to his spots.

Michael Porter Jr. arrived in Philadelphia in the midst of his quietest stretch of the season, with only one 20-point performance in the last 13 games. (He had scored 20 in seven of the previous eight.) Shots weren’t falling, and Porter wasn’t doing enough to make up for a lack of scoring. He dribbled into a three at New York that grazed the front of the rim, then he didn’t get back on defense to stop a Josh Hart leak-out dunk.

After Denver’s loss to Minnesota last Saturday, Malone pointed out to Porter that he didn’t secure a single rebound, saying, “I’ve never seen that from you before.” In fact, it was Porter’s first zero-rebound game since his rookie season, and his first ever when playing nine or more minutes.

The 26-year-old forward rediscovered some rhythm by cutting and getting downhill against Philly. He scored 24 points, though he was just as guilty as everyone else for the lethargic defensive showing. Jokic has not been a defensive factor in recent games, and it was only thanks to his late scoring burst that his plus-minus returned to zero. Murray’s was a plus- 13.

“He’s playing really good,” Jokic said, acknowledging that Murray’s recent level of play takes pressure off him. “He has a really good energy. … I think this is the way he should play.”

The Sixers couldn’t protect their rim at all in the opening minutes. Denver quickly scored the first 12 paint points of the game, including a lob from Westbrook to Murray. But an early 21-12 lead faded fast, with a Maxey 3-pointer capping a 13-3 run to give Philadelphia the edge. By then, a tone was established: The underdog 76ers were hosting a track meet in their building against tired visitors. After Malone brought up before the game that physical and mental fatigue are starting to set in ahead of the All-Star break, Denver’s dribble containment continued to be an issue.

“Maxey is a tough cover. If they have a better record, he’s a sure-fire All-Star,” Malone said. “… Our one-on-one containment has to be better, but just as important is when a guy gets beat, our help has to be better. And right now it’s like when a guy gets beat, we’re not there to help. And if we do help, the next guy’s not there to help the helper. We have to have more of that.”