Game 69: Houston Rockets (47-22) @ Denver Nuggets (33-35) - 9:30 PM ET

[ducler]

[U hova]

Houston looked like total poo yesterday so here's hoping that happens again

[Mickey8]

These refs are on Rockets payroll , just disgusting

[skywalker33]

Seems our Achilles Heal.... Jokic fouls

[skywalker33]

and injuries....

[U hova]

These refs are on Rockets payroll , just disgusting

What in the world were these superstar calls on Ryan Anderson

[Mickey8]

All calls went to Houston favor non to Denver

[Mickey8]

So Malone draw that

[Mickey8]

NBA doesn't want Denver in the play off this year, on the other hand Malone have just proved that he's a horrible coach, I still can't believe he took time out so he could tell his players to pass the ball to Barton for quick three , even though there was a plenty of time left on the shot clock , to make easy two for example , he also ignored his hottest player in the 4th quarter

[Lala870]

NBA doesn't want Denver in the play off this year,

I don't really get why the nuggets never seem to get any love. Only time national big media seemed to show favor was specifically to george karl.

I live in southern colorado and the nuggets are not even a footnote in the sports coverage around this area even when they are playing well. high school basketball gets more coverage.

[RRFB]

Unbelievably frustrating game. I can't remember leaving the Pepsi Center that angry in a long time.

If Malone drew up that Barton three in the timeout, he's a **** moron.

[Mickey8]

It looked like it was a play called by Malone, Barton took that shot as soon ball was inbounded , you don't draw a play for your role player who by the way struggled all night long , if you want to develop Jokic into a star , you draw that play for him, especially when he scored 10 points in the last quarter , also to call that three point shot when you have 44,45 second left on the clock is just dumb

[Mickey8]

NBA doesn't want Denver in the play off this year,

I don't really get why the nuggets never seem to get any love. Only time national big media seemed to show favor was specifically to george karl.

I live in southern colorado and the nuggets are not even a footnote in the sports coverage around this area even when they are playing well. high school basketball gets more coverage.

I don't know , it seems to me that league's wet dream is to squeeze Pelicans into play off some how, Portland and Dallas are next ahead of Denver, all those teams have more nationally recognized names, Cousins - Davis, Portland's miniature guards and of course of living legend Dirk Nowitzki , its all about marketing , Denver still don't have established superstar on the roster.

[NuggetsWY]

Seems our Achilles Heal.... Jokic fouls

Yup

and injuries....

Nope - then again, read the last sentence or two below

I love-love-LOVE the frontline of Jokic-Plumlee-Hernangomez. We haven't seen it much this year and that's somewhat understandable, but I'm looking forward to seeing it in the future.

It seems unlikely that Denver will ever beat Houston until Denver learns how to play the pick-n-roll. Tonight's plan, according to Malone was to swarm their 3pt shooting and it worked, yet Denver lost. Houston probably doesn't mind having a terrible 3pt shooting night as long as they win. Capela averages 8.5 shots per game on the year and tonight he had 13. The significance of that? Almost all of his shots come off Harden rolling towards the hoop with a guard trailing him. When the center moves over to play Harden, he lobs it up to Capela and that's just one of the plays Harden makes routinely off the pick-n-roll.

Reflecting on the season, especially watching Nelson play too many minutes, Nelson seems to have adjusted his style of play (somewhat). Barton, maybe a little. Not sure Chandler needed to adjust his much, same with Arthur. Of the veterans, I think Gallinari adjusted his game the most throughout the season, but we already knew he was a high-IQ player. Speaking of Gallinari, playing Houston, with their physicality, he's probably the most valuable Nugget in a game like this. The foul disparity and then especially in the 3rd quarter when Houston was in early foul trouble, Gallinari would have been drooling over all those FTs.

[Mickey8]

Seems our Achilles Heal.... Jokic fouls

Yup

and injuries....

Nope - then again, read the last sentence or two below

I love-love-LOVE the frontline of Jokic-Plumlee-Hernangomez. We haven't seen it much this year and that's somewhat understandable, but I'm looking forward to seeing it in the future.

It seems unlikely that Denver will ever beat Houston until Denver learns how to play the pick-n-roll. Tonight's plan, according to Malone was to swarm their 3pt shooting and it worked, yet Denver lost. Houston probably doesn't mind having a terrible 3pt shooting night as long as they win. Capela averages 8.5 shots per game on the year and tonight he had 13. The significance of that? Almost all of his shots come off Harden rolling towards the hoop with a guard trailing him. When the center moves over to play Harden, he lobs it up to Capela and that's just one of the plays Harden makes routinely off the pick-n-roll.

Reflecting on the season, especially watching Nelson play too many minutes, Nelson seems to have adjusted his style of play (somewhat). Barton, maybe a little. Not sure Chandler needed to adjust his much, same with Arthur. Of the veterans, I think Gallinari adjusted his game the most throughout the season, but we already knew he was a high-IQ player. Speaking of Gallinari, playing Houston, with their physicality, he's probably the most valuable Nugget in a game like this. The foul disparity and then especially in the 3rd quarter when Houston was in early foul trouble, Gallinari would have been drooling over all those FTs.

So, I don't get Malone's criticism of Jokic defense on those plays , in the post game interview , he said that Jokic have to be between Harden and Capela, something like that , but how can he accomplish that if Harden and other Houston guards beat Denver's guards off the dribble with ease , Jokic instinct in those situations is to close on Harden or he will have easy lay up , Harden do that lob pass play with Capela against every team in the league every night multiple times , opposing guards have to play better one on one defense to slow that play down.

[NuggetsWY]

So, I don't get Malone's criticism of Jokic defense on those plays , in the post game interview , he said that Jokic have to be between Harden and Capela, something like that , but how can he accomplish that if Harden and other Houston guards beat Denver's guards off the dribble with ease , Jokic instinct in those situations is to close on Harden or he will have easy lay up , Harden do that lob pass play with Capela against every team in the league every night multiple times , opposing guards have to play better one on one defense to slow that play down.

There is a reason you don't understand Malone's criticism of Jokic's defense; it's because you have something Malone does not have - common sense. What kind of an idiot expects anyone, ANYONE to be able to cover Harden driving along with any big man along side of him? That's ridiculous! Harden alone is ridiculously difficult to cover. Harden in a two-on-one with the ball in Harden's hands? That's insane!! Unlike Malone, your analysis is exactly correct.

[darivo]

I love-love-LOVE the frontline of Jokic-Plumlee-Hernangomez. We haven't seen it much this year and that's somewhat understandable, but I'm looking forward to seeing it in the future.

really do you love to see Jokic at PF spot??

[NuggetsWY]

I love-love-LOVE the frontline of Jokic-Plumlee-Hernangomez. We haven't seen it much this year and that's somewhat understandable, but I'm looking forward to seeing it in the future.

really do you love to see Jokic at PF spot??

So, you haven't watched the Nuggets? When Jokic & Plumlee play together, who they cover defensively depends on the matchup. How they play offensively tends to be Jokic playing a high post with Plumlee flashing low unless Plumlee is out high setting a pick with Jokic down low unless they are both out high setting picks unless they are both down low posting up on either side. Officially, Jokic is the center. But when they play together, they both play point-center-forward.

[Acountant_Z]

I don't remember being so upset watching a game like last night.
I had to open a bottle of wine and was tipsy by the end.

I get we were short handed but Plumlee and Jokic SHOULD NOT be in the same lineup except for special situations. Faried is a much better fit with Jokic, Malone is slipping back into his "twin towers" infatuation that already failed once.

Jokic is young and inexperienced and gets frustrated when things don't go his way. He needs a coach who can help him regain focus in these situations and Malone ain't one.

Burton is a fantastic player, he has everything going for him except .....discipline. He is unfortunately not the only one on this team with this problem but then that's why you have a coach. In our case, I cannot see why it is so hard to keep, what is a very simple structure, in place and we constantly have players stray from it and get the rest of the team discombobulated. Again, I have to blame Malone for this.

Just needed to get this drivel off my chest after a very disappointing performance.

[McNuggets]

On NBA TV after the game - Dennis Scott on Will Barton taking last two shots in game for Nuggets "you have to know your role - you have a young superstar, you are not it" and "no coach would have drawn that up" lol

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