Nuggets' Winning Streak Gets Clipped: DEN @ LAC Takeaways
Dec 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives the ball defended by Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 119-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets were out-played by the Los Angeles Clippers from the start, as they got blown out 119-102, ending their three game winning streak.
The Nuggets will be back at home to face the Hawks, and then they’ll have their grudge-match with the Clippers at the Pepsi Center. If Denver can win one or both of those games, then Nuggets fans should have every reason to think playoff appearance, with confidence.
Denver still holds onto a three game home winning streak, which will be crucial for their current momentum.
In Tuesday’s match-up, the Nuggets were on the road for their conclusive night of back-to-back games, and especially after their starters logged so many active minutes in Monday’s win, the lack of efficiency is understandable.
Its not as if Denver came out with their heads down; their energy was up, and the will to get something going was there, it just wasn’t happening.
Mostly, it was their shot selection and efficiency that suffered, two tell all signs of fatigue.
The Nuggets were solid on the boards, and actually out-rebounded L.A., but they took way too many three point attempts, and barely hit any of them.
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The difference in shooting percentages tells the story of this one, and it was not pretty for Denver.
Mar 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 124-91. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Just about everyone who was hot on Monday night was cold as ice Tuesday, as Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris combined for just three points.
Yikes.
Both guards were outstanding in their last game, against Dallas, combining for 42 points on 16-25 shooting and 8-11 on three-pointers. But against L.A., Harris scored only three points on just 1-6 shooting, and Emmanuel went scoreless on 0-9 shooting, making them a combined 1-15 on the night.
That is correct, the same duo that scored 42 points on 64% shooting racked in just 3 points on 06.7% shooting. Let that soak in for a moment.
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There’s not much explanation there other than the law of averages catching up with Denver’s young guards, who were characteristically hot going into Tuesday’s match-up.
They only committed 3 combined turnovers, and did bring in 7 rebounds, but the rest was just plain ugly.
Similarly, Nikola Jokic, who too had a big night, perhaps the bigger/biggest night Monday against Dallas with 15 rebounds, 9 assists, and 27 points, logged only 6 rebounds, 1 measly assist, and 9 points.
The Bottom line here is that Nikola needs to find at least 5 assists a night if the Nuggets are to keep winning. This will come more easily when teammates are actually making shots. But even on the cold nights, Jokic has to find more looks for his teammates.
“The Joker” has proven himself to be a leader when it comes to passing on this Nuggets team, and without him moving the ball effectively, a default of chucking up bone-headed three-point attempts seems to take over.
This tends to give the Nuggets a string of empty possessions that usually leads to the big runs which put Denver down double-digits.
That was the case against L.A., and it was a game remnant of the early season.
All too remnant as well was the domination handed out to Denver by L.A.’s big-name players. Chris Paul nearly triple-doubled, with 8 rebounds, 15 assists, and 16 points, using match-ups and pick and rolls to decimate Denver at his will.
DeAndre Jordan had his usual double-double, with 13 rebounds and 13 points, but did so on an ultra-efficient 6-7 shooting night, and J.J. Reddick stole the show with 27 points on 10-16 shooting while going 7-9 from beyond the three-point line.
L.A.’s starters finished with an average +/- of over +32, while Denver’s starters averaged a +/- of -24.6. It was an old fashioned beat down.
Dec 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) drives the ball defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Other than shooting efficiency and assists, the stats don’t really suggest the blowout that occurred.
Both teams shot in the 60-70% range from the line, with Denver actually making 4 more shots from the line than L.A..
The Nuggets also out-rebounded the Clippers 46-37, and got 4 more shots off in total. Both teams had 13 turnovers, 2 blocks, and 40 points in the paint, and Denver ended with 14 fast break points to L.A.’s 7.
All in all, it was simply an ice cold night for the Nuggets.
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Their offense just would not click, and their defense was constantly one-step behind.
The experience and chemistry of Paul, Jordan, and Reddick made an easy meal of Denver’s developing talent and chemistry, but things are still looking good for Denver.
Turnovers are down, rebounding is still up, and with all players healthy, the Nuggets are still 3-4. A hard loss was bound to come eventually, and hopefully fans aren’t too taken back by this one.
The Nuggets will be back at home to face the Hawks, and then they’ll have their grudge-match with the Clippers at the Pepsi Center.
If Denver can win one or both of those games, then Nuggets fans should have every reason to think playoff appearance, with confidence.
