November 28th 2024.
The Denver Nuggets were able to bounce back from a tough loss in their previous game, defeating the Utah Jazz 122-103 on Wednesday. It's clear that the Nuggets play their best when they are faced with adversity, but this is a concerning trend that needs to be addressed before it becomes a bigger problem later in the season.
Despite the win, the Nuggets are still in a tight race in the competitive Western Conference. So, they'll take any win they can get, no matter how they have to get it. In this case, it was thanks to a strong performance from Jamal Murray, who finished with 20 points, eight assists, and four steals. Nikola Jokic also rebounded from a rough game with an impressive 30-point performance, with 19 of those points coming in the first quarter.
The Nuggets were in desperate need of this win, as they were struggling to keep up with the Jazz, who were missing key players but were still shooting incredibly well from the three-point line. Murray and Michael Porter Jr. initially struggled to provide secondary scoring, but the team was able to rally behind the strong play of Russell Westbrook, who had four assists in the quarter.
Murray had a slow start, missing his first five shots, but he was able to turn things around and finish the half with eight points. Porter also had a solid game, finishing with 19 points, while Christian Braun added 18 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting.
Defensively, the Nuggets were able to address some of their recent issues, which had caused frustration for head coach Michael Malone. They dominated in the paint and outscored the Jazz in transition, something that the coach had been critical of in the past. This strong defense helped limit the Jazz to just 18 points in the second quarter and 23 in the third.
The Nuggets' defense should receive another boost once Aaron Gordon returns from a calf strain, although there is no specific timeline for his recovery. Vlatko Cancar is also dealing with an injury and is considering surgery for his re-injured left knee. Coach Malone is supportive of Cancar and understands the tough situation he's in, and the team will continue to support him no matter what decision he makes.
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