NFL
By Jason Gulden
Hello, Denver Nuggets fans. Since the last time we talked, the Nuggets have played five games and gone 3-2 in them. The depth of this team is being put to the test with these strange games that have been scheduled.
On Monday, November 17th, the Nuggets welcomed the Chicago Bulls to town. The night prior, the Bulls played at Utah and played in a double-overtime thriller against the Jazz, where they would lose by a 150-147 score. They wouldn’t get into Denver and the hotel until 2:30–3 a.m. on Monday. With that information, the Denver Nuggets should have run wild on the Bulls. Unfortunately for Nuggets fans, that wasn’t the case, as Kevin Huerter and Nikola Vucevic would both hit big 3-pointers late to give the Bulls a 130-127 victory over the Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic would have a triple-double with 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists. He was an assist shy of the triple-double at halftime. Jamal Murray would have 34 points, with 18 of them coming in the 4th quarter.
My biggest takeaway from this game was bench scoring. The Chicago Bulls would outscore the Nuggets 66-9 off the bench. Those aren’t good numbers, especially when you spend the off-season improving your bench. Yes, the Nuggets had to start one of their bench players, Peyton Watson started for Christian Braun, who is injured, but you have players like Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tim Hardaway Jr. who need to perform better when they are called on. Those 3 players combined played for 42 minutes and only scored 6 points.
Going into this game, Denver’s fall/winter sports teams had been rolling. The Broncos were 9-2 and perfect at home. The Nuggets were 10-2, also perfect at home. The Avalanche were 13-1-5 and perfect in regulation at home. The loss by the Nuggets would snap a 21-game winning streak by the three teams.
On Wednesday, November 19th, the Nuggets would travel down to Bourbon Street in Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Pelicans. Nikola Jokic would once again have a triple-double. Tonight, he went for 28 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. Payton Watson had himself a career night with 32 points scored.
After their dismal game against the Bulls, the Nuggets’ bench played a lot better in this game. Valanciunas had 14 points, Brown had 12 points, and Hardaway Jr. had 7 points.
On Friday, November 21st, the Nuggets would travel to play the Houston Rockets in an Emirates NBA Cup game. Nikola Jokic would have a Sombor Double (missed a triple-double by 1) with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Murray would add 26 points and 10 assists to help lead the Nuggets to a 112-109 victory. Denver would improve to 2-1 in NBA Cup group play with their final game being on Friday, November 28th, against the San Antonio Spurs.
The biggest story out of this game was the injury to Aaron Gordon. He would leave after only playing 3 ½ minutes with a right hamstring strain. On November 23rd, it was announced by the Denver Nuggets that Gordon would be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks. This is a big blow to the Nuggets, losing one of the best post players in the NBA until after the New Year.
Reed Sheppard for the Rockets would lead them and the bench with 27 points.
Following the game, the Nuggets would travel back to Denver and take on the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, November 22nd. Just like the last time the Nuggets played at home, they would fall 128-123. Nikola Jokic had a monster night by scoring 44 points and 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. Murray had 23 points and 9 assists. Cam Johnson seems to be picking it up with his 20 points.
Just like the last time the Nuggets played at Ball Arena, the bench failed to show up. They were outscored 48-20. Dennis Schroder of the Kings outscored the Nuggets’ bench on his own with 21 points.
On Monday, November 24th, the Nuggets would hit the road again as they traveled to Beale Street to take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Nikola Jokic would get his 10th triple-double of the season with 17 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds. Murray had 29 points and eight assists, while Watson scored 27 points, with 14 of them coming in the 3rd, to lead the Nuggets to a 125-115 victory.
The Nuggets are currently tied for 2nd place in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers with a 13-4 record. They both trail the Oklahoma City Thunder, who seem to never lose, by 4 games. That’s also how many games back the Nuggets are in the Northwest Division.
The Nuggets are off until Friday, November 28th, when they welcome the San Antonio Spurs to Ball Arena. That is where we will start our recap in the next Nuggets article.
Until we talk again, Nuggets fans, I hope you all, United States readers, have a Happy Thanksgiving with friends and family. Talk to you all soon.
