Game 9: Utah Jazz (4-4) @ Denver Nuggets (7-1) - 9:00 PM ET

ducler · Post #1 » by **ducler** » Sat Nov 3, 2018 5:24 pm

TunaFish · Post #2 » by **TunaFish** » Sat Nov 3, 2018 6:56 pm

Feels like a big game for this early in the season. Looking at the 3 point shooting percentages of Murray and Harris, you have to wonder when both are going to break out? Also have to wonder if Hernangomez is going to get as many minutes as he got in Cleveland?

This may be a statement game for Denver.

Post #3 » by **NuggetsWY** » Sat Nov 3, 2018 7:47 pm

Statistically Denver should be favored, especially in Denver and odds makers are favoring Denver.

My concern is that Utah plays a team system on both ends of the court - better than most. I think Denver does better against teams that like ISO ball and are less disciplined. For example, two statistics where Utah looks dangerous for the Nuggets is turnovers and steals. They have fewer turnovers than we do and they have more steals than we do - - not a good combination.

Let's see what happens. The Nuggets haven't exactly inspired great confidence so far this year, but I still believe they will win this game and they'll either squeak it out at the end or win by 20+. I just can't decide which. :lol:

Post #4 » by **THE J0KER** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 12:36 am

Wins vs division rivals are most valuable, but also, such home court loses are most painful.

We are (slight) favorites in the next 3 games (UTA, BOS, @MEM), so the most realistic scenario is to win two and lose one game. If we win all 3, we can call our 10-1 start spectacular. But if we win only one of these 3 games, we will waste our GSW bonus win, and our overall W-L record will be about expectations we have before the start of the season.

Post #5 » by **THE J0KER** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 3:31 am

Denver defense is real this season.
Denver bench is real this season.

skywalker33 · Post #6 » by **skywalker33** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 3:39 am

Big Win, bring on the Celtics !!

FilNugsFan · Post #7 » by **FilNugsFan** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 3:44 am

16 assts. for Jokic? That's a whole lot of buckets for the other guys, but his scoring and even his attempts have gone down significantly after that perfect shooting against Phoenix. But it has translated to Ws so who am I to complain? Haha

Post #8 » by **THE J0KER** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 3:52 am

I always say that Jokic most important stats column is the assists, and in the night when he has 16, we can't lose. But it is not Jokic who are crucial for this win, but bench unit in that our infamous darkest period at the end of 3rd and start of the 4th. This time WE have 27-6 run in that period and overturn this game from 62-71 -9 deficit to the 89-77 +12 lead. And this is 3rd win this season when opponent lead in the 4th quarter but Nuggets with the strong finish won it at the end. Last season if we do not break our opponent in the 3rd quarter, we barely win such game.

RRFB · Post #9 » by **RRFB** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 4:11 am

That 4th quarter was **** incredible. I don't care if Utah was on a B2B and Mitchell was banged up. That was a great win.

skywalker33 · Post #10 » by **skywalker33** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 4:48 am

Another opponent held UNDER 90pts !! Can't say I've seen this type of defensive effort since, Natt, Cooper, Lever days....

Post #11 » by **NuggetsWY** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 5:29 am

Utah had quite a few more steals than they average - but we survived. :wink:

I did not listen to the pre-game. I am assuming Malone said Craig would cover Mitchell because his length would slow down Mitchell - or maybe he thought that and didn't say that. Anyway, it worked - somewhat. It seems Harris' quickness would have been more important, not that Craig didn't do a good job. But when Beasley came in, he seemed to do a great job on Mitchell. (Oh yes, let's not forget Beasley had a nice offensive game too.)

Murray & Harris carried the team, more or less. But it was truly a team effort on both ends of the court.

I would call this a very satisfying win. 8-)

youngthegiant · Post #12 » by **youngthegiant** » Sun Nov 4, 2018 10:57 pm

Murray, Millsap, Jokic, Gary all have 14+ Net Rating
Torrey has a 2 Net Rating. That 5 man lineup has seen the most minutes of any other(over 100) and only has a 1.2 net rating. Last year Denver's starters had one of the best net ratings in the league. Beasley swapped for Craig has a 37+ Net rating in 23 minutes. Juancho has only seen 4 minutes with the starters(what a shame) but that lineup has an 85+ Net Rating. I really wonder about Malone, the starters are clearly struggling and they are the foundation of our team. Not the bench. Needs to make a change despite the winning. That's what great coaches do. Fix what isn't working.