The 10-piece gives you ten things you need to know from the Nuggets’ 82-game season. Original writing by Matt Moore and Ryan Blackburn.
1. I Was Told There Would Be No Math: Denver was 6-of-24 from 3-point range. The Cavs were 22-of-48. The Nuggets could have won this game if they’d hit 20 threes. They could have won this game if they’d held the Cavs to 26 attempts. There is no chance for Denver when they have six made threes and the opponent has 22. None.
2. Joker Was Amazing...: Jokic finished with 27 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists to go with three steals. He was 50% from the field. I remember a time when a player having 20 boards would have stopped sports cold. Just another night at the office for Joker.
3. Except In The Third: Jokic was just 2-of-7 in the third quarter, missing several bunnies. He had five boards and four assists with one turnover, and the Nuggets lost his minutes in the third by 11 points. Jokic should get to have a bad quarter every now and again. But he can’t for this team, and it’s OK to say it was bad. That quarter was mostly the difference. Jokic finished with 27 points on 26 shots.
4. Small Steps: Jamal Murray had 19 points on 16 shots with six assists. He made some pull-up jumpers and looked more like himself. It wasn’t a breakout but it was one of his better games this season.
5. Steady Mike: MPJ with 24 points, seven boards and four steals. He continues to develop offensively and is having the second-best offensive season of his career.
6. Lack Of Backup: Denver had 16 points off the bench combined. Caris LeVert had 21 by himself. 43-16 was the final bench margin. Notably, in this one, it wasn’t the non-Joker minutes; Denver was only -4 in those minutes. But the Joker-plus-bench minutes are getting worse, not better. Shooting is a major problem.
7. Inexplicable: Christian Braun was +2 despite going 0-3 from three point range and struggling on both ends. CB this season is basically fail-proof.
8. No Five: Denver has basically given up on trying to have a backup center. Zeke Nnaji played less than three minutes. Aaron Gordon played the rest of the five minutes. This isn’t tenable for Jokic or anyone else.
9. Quality Opponent: Denver’s problems were showcased by how good the Cavs are, but it should be noted this is a great team in Cleveland. They’re deep, they play together, they move the ball, defend at a high level, and rebound.
10. Up Next: Denver plays the Wizards next on Saturday and the Wizards are good for what ails you. Expect a monster Jokic game and a comfortable win. If they lose, there will have to be big conversations about this team.
