Game 46: Denver Nuggets (31-14) @ Utah Jazz (26-22) - 10:30 PM ET

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[NuggetsWY]

If I were a betting man, I might better dollar that Utah wins tonight, or I might bet a dollar that Denver wins tonight, or I might bet a dollar that Utah slaughters Denver tonight, or I might bet a dollar the Denver blows Utah way

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[THE J0KER]

In past 10 games between Denver and Utah home team always won. Also, Jazz has 8 straight wins vs Nuggets in Salt Lake City, and they marched through standings since Christmas from #12 to current #7 spot.

But I still like our chances to win, and hold perfect NorthWest record (currently 6-0).

[THE J0KER]

After -11 in first 10 minutes seems only Utah motivated, but that Favours incident wake up Denver. 3 point stats was key in 1st half with Denver just 3-12 (0-7 starters) and 13-27 Jazz. Once again this month Murray is silent in 1st half, I have no idea what is wrong with him, 4-0-1 is unacceptable numbers for such player on halftime.

[THE J0KER]

This was probably last chance for Malone to take coaching job at all-star game, and he is partly guilty for this result. Plumlee was ejected early, Millsap minutes was reduced due poor play, so why Lyles didn't play more or why in such circumstances Malone insisted to hold Juancho on ignore list? So, we played many minutes today with 4 guards, so in 2nd half Jokic has 16 rebounds but just 1 assist. Except Jokic monster game, Barton played best game this season, and Morris, bench overall, and Harris was good. But for a win we needed to better defend 3ptor better contribution from Millsap and Murray than 11-5-2 (fg4-19) combined.

[RRFB]

Murry's inconsistencies are becoming worrisome. When his shot isn't falling, his impact seems to range from non-existent to downright awful. If this team is going to go anywhere, he has to learn how to make an impact when he's not making shots.

I really hate the decision to give Craig 37 minutes vs. Beasley's 7. Our perimeter D was terrible all night and no one shot well from distance. I don't understand why you stick with what clearly isn't working.

All things considered, I don't think it was a terrible loss. Thought they fought hard considering how well Utah shot the three and how badly some of our starters played. A few more made threes and this game has a different result. Just gotta hope Millsap and Barton find their rhythm sooner than later.

[NuggetsWY]

Look at the box score:
Same number of FG attempted and we had a higher pct.
We had more rebounds & blocks.

Two stats stand out though:
They took 19 more 3s and hit 41% of them.
The Jazz had 8 more assists than the Nuggets.

Both of those are probably related to not enough movement on either end of the court.

[Riko]

Look at the box score:
Same number of FG attempted and we had a higher pct.
We had more rebounds & blocks.

Two stats stand out though:
They took 19 more 3s and hit 41% of them.
The Jazz had 8 more assists than the Nuggets.

Both of those are probably related to not enough movement on either end of the court.

More due bad 3p shooting night, I don't even remember when we hit the first 3. Since the shots didn't fall we try to attack the rim and open the court. It is not casual that the moments where denver closed the gap a little were when the 3s actually fall.
Utah stick with tough perimetre defense and double jokic in the post. It was a good strategy but in a better shooting night doesn't work.

[The Rebel]

This Malone love affar with Craig needs to end, Juancho and Beasley both clearly outplayed him when we had all the injuries, yet he is the one getting 80 mpg?

Barton was good Barton and bad Barton in the same game, which is rare, and he showed that he still does not have the ability to be the closer in games.

Millsap and Craig start together and our guards look like crap, what's new?

Speaking of Millsap I do not know if he is trying to come back to early or if he has just declined that much in 2 years but he is a detriment most of the minutes he has played since he has been back.

Am I the only one that would consider trading Millsap for Gallo and filler? Gallo can be a place holder while Juancho or MPJ develop and we can use the full MLE to get a Pf?

[U hova]

Expected a loss. All we can do is hope everyone learns from it... including Malone.

[Maf]

To be honest it was rare case of me enjoying the game even Nuggets are losing. Great intensity. Players (some of them) looked really fired up. I liked how Nikola went physical against them. He really put fight on them. What might be shocking I liked Trey Lyles... Like of course I would kick him anytime he shoots three but overall he had better impact on the game than Millsap. And I wouldn't say that before even in games Millsap wasn't playing. What sucked was turn overs. I can understand if you screw up a pass but it seemed like guys forgot how to dribble the ball. Those TO's were really stupid.

Now I just hope Jokič, Harris and Murray won't get suspended!

[skywalker33]

They played hard in a very hard place (for us) to win. UTH was coming off a home loss to POR so they were motivated.

That said, Murray's handles looked like he was still in HS. Barton, is it rust or regression in his game. He made poor defensive decisions and WTF, a 5-sec violation ??? I expect that from a rookie, but a vet...he should NEVER inbound the ball again.

As noted, Malone must has Craig-shaded glasses, if he thought Craigs defense was worth keeping Beasley on the bench what an IDIOT move !!!! And Beasley can play some defense while putting up some 3's which we needed last night. Every time I see Craig shoot out by the arc I cringe.

[SkillzFromThe6]

Defense and turnovers lost them that game.

I'm not a fan of Monte Morris being the SG instead of PG when Barton is out there. But maybe that'll change when he goes into the starting lineup but then again I like Craig in the starting lineup because we're going to need a guy that can defend DeRozan, Tobias, LeBron, KD, Paul George/Westbrook when playoff time comes. I can't see Gary guarding those guys and definitely not Millsap.

[The Rebel]

Defense and turnovers lost them that game.

I'm not a fan of Monte Morris being the SG instead of PG when Barton is out there. But maybe that'll change when he goes into the starting lineup but then again I like Craig in the starting lineup because we're going to need a guy that can defend DeRozan, Tobias, LeBron, KD, Paul George/Westbrook when playoff time comes. I can't see Gary guarding those guys and definitely not Millsap.

That is th problem, Craig cannot guard them either. In fact if you look at how those guys do against the Nuggets the best player on the team at guarding the big name SFs is Juancho but he is out of favor again.

[SkillzFromThe6]

Defense and turnovers lost them that game.

I'm not a fan of Monte Morris being the SG instead of PG when Barton is out there. But maybe that'll change when he goes into the starting lineup but then again I like Craig in the starting lineup because we're going to need a guy that can defend DeRozan, Tobias, LeBron, KD, Paul George/Westbrook when playoff time comes. I can't see Gary guarding those guys and definitely not Millsap.

That is th problem, Craig cannot guard them either. In fact if you look at how those guys do against the Nuggets the best player on the team at guarding the big name SFs is Juancho but he is out of favor again.

Torrey Craig did well vs Russell Westbrook the last 2 games 5-15 13 points and 6-23 16 points?

vs Dame Lillard 8-21 26 points

He blocked Donovan Mitchell like 3-4 times in the Utah game but obviously he was hot from 3.

[The Rebel]

Defense and turnovers lost them that game.

I'm not a fan of Monte Morris being the SG instead of PG when Barton is out there. But maybe that'll change when he goes into the starting lineup but then again I like Craig in the starting lineup because we're going to need a guy that can defend DeRozan, Tobias, LeBron, KD, Paul George/Westbrook when playoff time comes. I can't see Gary guarding those guys and definitely not Millsap.

That is th problem, Craig cannot guard them either. In fact if you look at how those guys do against the Nuggets the best player on the team at guarding the big name SFs is Juancho but he is out of favor again.

Torrey Craig did well vs Russell Westbrook the last 2 games 5-15 13 points and 6-23 16 points?

vs Dame Lillard 8-21 26 points

He blocked Donovan Mitchell like 3-4 times in the Utah game but obviously he was hot from 3.

Which of those is a big name SF?

Also a block shot does not equal good defense, Mitchell destroyed Craig almost as bad as Harden did.

[SkillzFromThe6]

That is th problem, Craig cannot guard them either. In fact if you look at how those guys do against the Nuggets the best player on the team at guarding the big name SFs is Juancho but he is out of favor again.

Torrey Craig did well vs Russell Westbrook the last 2 games 5-15 13 points and 6-23 16 points?

vs Dame Lillard 8-21 26 points

He blocked Donovan Mitchell like 3-4 times in the Utah game but obviously he was hot from 3.

Which of those is a big name SF?

Also a block shot does not equal good defense, Mitchell destroyed Craig almost as bad as Harden did.

I don't remember if he played against LeBron/KD. I'm not sure if he guarded Tobias Harris or Danilo Gallinari. He has guarded DeRozan (a tall SG) and was alright.

Harden has destroyed everyone.

He guarded Ben last night and did great.

[NuggetsWY]

Torrey Craig did well vs Russell Westbrook the last 2 games 5-15 13 points and 6-23 16 points?

vs Dame Lillard 8-21 26 points

He blocked Donovan Mitchell like 3-4 times in the Utah game but obviously he was hot from 3.

Which of those is a big name SF?

Also a block shot does not equal good defense, Mitchell destroyed Craig almost as bad as Harden did.

I don't remember if he played against LeBron/KD. I'm not sure if he guarded Tobias Harris or Danilo Gallinari. He has guarded DeRozan (a tall SG) and was alright.

Harden has destroyed everyone.

He guarded Ben last night and did great.

I bought into the concept of Craig being a defensive specialist, but the more I see of him the less I believe that. I think he could get there, but I'm not sure the nuggets have the right coach on their staff to help him get there.

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[The Rebel]

Torrey Craig did well vs Russell Westbrook the last 2 games 5-15 13 points and 6-23 16 points?

vs Dame Lillard 8-21 26 points

He blocked Donovan Mitchell like 3-4 times in the Utah game but obviously he was hot from 3.

Which of those is a big name SF?

Also a block shot does not equal good defense, Mitchell destroyed Craig almost as bad as Harden did.

I don't remember if he played against LeBron/KD. I'm not sure if he guarded Tobias Harris or Danilo Gallinari. He has guarded DeRozan (a tall SG) and was alright.

Harden has destroyed everyone.

He guarded Ben last night and did great.

Now I know you are not watching the games.Jokic spent far more time on Simmons than Craig did last night, Craig got destroyed by Redick for the 1st 3 quarters before Malone switched to having Harris guard him and Craig was switched on McConnell.

[SkillzFromThe6]

Which of those is a big name SF?

Also a block shot does not equal good defense, Mitchell destroyed Craig almost as bad as Harden did.

I don't remember if he played against LeBron/KD. I'm not sure if he guarded Tobias Harris or Danilo Gallinari. He has guarded DeRozan (a tall SG) and was alright.

Harden has destroyed everyone.

He guarded Ben last night and did great.

Now I know you are not watching the games.Jokic spent far more time on Simmons than Craig did last night, Craig got destroyed by Redick for the 1st 3 quarters before Malone switched to having Harris guard him and Craig was switched on McConnell.

Nikola Jokic guarded Simmons 2nd half lol I have bad memory but I definitely watched the whole game.

Edit: I'll even show you here, check the highlights since you don't believe me:

Watch on YouTube

Maybe you didn't watch the game. Ben was guarding Jokic, Nikola wasn't guarding him.

(this was isn't in the highlights) Even the commentator said something about Nikola Jokic telling Wes Unseld let me guard Simmons but that was like the 4th quarter. Gary was guarding Redick 1st half. Craig switched on to Redick mid way 3rd quarter because Gary was getting destroyed by JJ.