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Most frustrating first three quarters I've watched this season. But they came up huge in the end thanks to clutch shot making and a good strategy by Malone to foul Looney down the stretch.

As sweet a finish to the game and pre all star break part of the Nugs season.


Is 18-6 to get to 50 wins likely or needed. What is needed for 6th or better? 14-10 ? What bears Dallas ? 16-18 wins in the last 24

We wasted a big lead on the road vs lottery teams several times this season in the final quarter, so this win vs contender with the first lead just 15 seconds before the end comes from nowhere. Joker with monster 35-17-8 game takes full advantage over GSW frontcourt without Green, but Mighty Morris stole the show in the final 15 seconds.

We won this game on the epic way but I must criticize Malone for the scandalous decision to bench Jokic after we take lead for the first time 15 seconds left. You can't do that with league MVP with the highest + and - on/off the difference, just can't... of course, the Warriors make two and one play against Nuggets 2nd unit (where only Gordon was from the original starting lineup).

Great win, big win... with 5 wins from the last 6 games Denver is still #6 but with a very strong case to stay TOP6 (we are in a good position to overtake #5 Dallas who lost KP).

THE J0KER wrote:We won this game on the epic way but I must criticize Malone for the scandalous decision to bench Jokic after we take lead for the first time 15 seconds left. You can't do that with league MVP with the highest + and - on/off the difference, just can't... of course, the Warriors make two and one play against Nuggets 2nd unit (where only Gordon was from the original starting lineup).

Nah, it was fine. Jokic was also benched before that, during the last 1:00 and that caused Klay's missed three which JMG rebounded

They key moment of the game was Barton exiting in 4th and him never coming back in again

Richard Miller wrote:

THE J0KER wrote:We won this game on the epic way but I must criticize Malone for the scandalous decision to bench Jokic after we take lead for the first time 15 seconds left. You can't do that with league MVP with the highest + and - on/off the difference, just can't... of course, the Warriors make two and one play against Nuggets 2nd unit (where only Gordon was from the original starting lineup).

Nah, it was fine. Jokic was also benched before that, during the last 1:00 and that caused Klay's missed three which JMG rebounded

To me it looked like Jokic was exhausted, like Malone took him out to save what energy he had left for offense knowing that Jokic was our only chance to win the game.

The Rebel wrote:

Richard Miller wrote:

THE J0KER wrote:We won this game on the epic way but I must criticize Malone for the scandalous decision to bench Jokic after we take lead for the first time 15 seconds left. You can't do that with league MVP with the highest + and - on/off the difference, just can't... of course, the Warriors make two and one play against Nuggets 2nd unit (where only Gordon was from the original starting lineup).

Nah, it was fine. Jokic was also benched before that, during the last 1:00 and that caused Klay's missed three which JMG rebounded

To me it looked like Jokic was exhausted, like Malone took him out to save what energy he had left for offense knowing that Jokic was our only chance to win the game.

He did look, however Mat Moore in Locked On Nuggets also mentioned that Malone likely opted for a smaller lineup because Warriors were switching a lot and with Jokic probably would be more easy to get Curry open in the end. I think it worked pretty fine, Klay missed and while Curry scored Monte still contested and the refs ofc gave Curry the softest possible whistle.

The Rebel wrote:

Richard Miller wrote:

THE J0KER wrote:We won this game on the epic way but I must criticize Malone for the scandalous decision to bench Jokic after we take lead for the first time 15 seconds left. You can't do that with league MVP with the highest + and - on/off the difference, just can't... of course, the Warriors make two and one play against Nuggets 2nd unit (where only Gordon was from the original starting lineup).

Nah, it was fine. Jokic was also benched before that, during the last 1:00 and that caused Klay's missed three which JMG rebounded

To me it looked like Jokic was exhausted, like Malone took him out to save what energy he had left for offense knowing that Jokic was our only chance to win the game.

That's why we need Cousins, to give Jokic a breather and rest him so he doesn't collapse towards the playoffs. Unlike some other posters here who want him to put up those big regular season stats, I prefer he be rested for the playoffs.

I dont think he ever collapsed in the play off;s in the series against the Suns he didn't get any help from his teammates, they were bricking the shots , I think with healthy Murray that series could have been different .

skywalker33 wrote:

The Rebel wrote:

Richard Miller wrote:
Nah, it was fine. Jokic was also benched before that, during the last 1:00 and that caused Klay's missed three which JMG rebounded

To me it looked like Jokic was exhausted, like Malone took him out to save what energy he had left for offense knowing that Jokic was our only chance to win the game.

That's why we need Cousins, to give Jokic a breather and rest him so he doesn't collapse towards the playoffs. Unlike some other posters here who want him to put up those big regular season stats, I prefer he be rested for the playoffs.

I read a stat today that we are 8-0 in games that Cousins plays in. While Forbes gets some credit, Cousins being able to replace Jokic for a few minutes a game is enough that both the bench and Jokic seem to be showing some huge benefit from. I am glad they extended the all star break from the 4-5 days it used tu be, Jokic needs a few days off.

Richard Miller wrote:

The Rebel wrote:

Richard Miller wrote:
Nah, it was fine. Jokic was also benched before that, during the last 1:00 and that caused Klay's missed three which JMG rebounded

To me it looked like Jokic was exhausted, like Malone took him out to save what energy he had left for offense knowing that Jokic was our only chance to win the game.

He did look, however Mat Moore in Locked On Nuggets also mentioned that Malone likely opted for a smaller lineup because Warriors were switching a lot and with Jokic probably would be more easy to get Curry open in the end. I think it worked pretty fine, Klay missed and while Curry scored Monte still contested and the refs ofc gave Curry the softest possible whistle.

When Jokic was taken out, the Nuggets were holding two timeouts and they were on defense. After hacking Looney, they put Jokic back in just seconds later. I think this was more a classic use of a small ball defensive strategy with Jokic going back in when the Nuggets were on offense using a timeout if needed.

This was the best coaching by Malone that I can remember. Repeatedly hacking Looney was brilliant and was the primary reason the Nuggets got back into the game.