Game 27 : Denver Nuggets (15-11) @ Boston Celtics (13-13) - 7:00PM

[ducler]

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[GeorgeSears]

I'm expecting a huge night from Jokic.

Without Theis, Jokic can fall back defensively knowing that Thompson isn't a threat to shoot.

[THE J0KER]

1st quarter:
Jokic and Murray 9-10, 24 points.
Rest of the team 1-10, 2 points.

I know 5 important players are out, but we need at least one or two others to show-up, Porter especially.

[skywalker33]

Here’s a good opportunity for MPJ to step up and show he has star potential. Semi O is a decent defender but Porter should have his way, at least step to show he can offset Tatum.

Go Nuggets !!

[GeorgeSears]

Here’s a good opportunity for MPJ to step up and show he has star potential. Semi O is a decent defender but Porter should have his way, at least step to show he can offset Tatum.

Go Nuggets !!

Agree. These are the games where MPJ needs to take that next step and help out Jokic and Murray.

Especially with everyone else struggling.

[GeorgeSears]

Nice finish to the quarter by the Nuggets. MPJ is playing scared and needs to snap out of it.

[THE J0KER]

Jokic scored 29 out of Nuggets 54 points with TS% over 100%! I hope he will not lose once again 50p+ game.

Murray's good 12-3-5 halftime numbers are corrupted by 6 turnovers, while Porter's 5 rebounds and 3 assists are ruined with 0-5 shooting. Both need the better game in 2nd half if we want to beat very good Celtics without Harris, Millsap, Barton, Morris, Dozier. Green also needs to step up, 2-1-0 for 15 minutes is just awful for him.

[GeorgeSears]

The Nuggets are desperately trying to get Porter involved and it's ruining their offense. That just has to happen in the flow of a game.

[GeorgeSears]

MPJ can't seem to do anything right this game.

[Timmyyy]

Malone or the PGs uncapable of running a simple pick n pop for nnaji when we desperately need scoring from outside Murray and jokic is really annoying. Instead same old plays over and over again with the bench with little success.

[psimanic1]

Can we give Malone and Porter for some coach thaalt can actually, coach?

[skywalker33]

Really disappointing outing for our forwards, that was pathetic.

[THE J0KER]

Good notes only:

Jokic: MVP, 3rd 43+ game in last 8
Murray: 2nd 25-5-5 type of the game without Barton
Campazzo: 15-8 after previous 15-4 game

[DaFan334]

I don't know why MPJ has been shooting nothing but fadeaways the last like 5 games, but someone has got to get that fixed. With a depleted bench, we really need him and he has been nowhere.

Bol another scratch in a game where we have no depth. I assume this is somewhat to send a message that he seems to need honestly. Dude has looked horrible when he has been in this year and just has horrible body language. He is like the opposite of RJ Hampton, who I think has a great attitude and effort. When that kid's game catches up to his effort and athleticism, he is going to be a good player.

[Maf]

Unfortunately, just as at Kings game. Jokič was incredible but nobody joined him. Kind of sucks because these Celtics don't really seem as a great team. But this is what this season is going to be about. No training camp, too many new players, rookies, with games being played every other day there is not much time and space for doing too much at practice so everyone needs to learn on the way. And there are millions little things to learn that are important. Who likes the ball at that spot, who has trouble catching ball off bounce, who can't finish from left side, who will cut where... I am sure we will see progress as the season goes. Question is, will it be enough to go further in PO? So far I'd say no. But that doesn't make season "wasted."

I am not saying refs cost us the game (awful mistakes on rotations by our young guys did) but I am pretty sure as a player I would be ejected for cursing at them. They were bad.

I am to be honest kind of eager to throw in posts like how Green should replace old Millsap in starting line or anything about calling MPJ member of Big3. But I'd be probably (and rightfully) be given a warning for calling out our board members.

With MPJ I have really, I mean really bad feeling last two games. It is not about his shooting or passing or defense. But watch him carefully when ball is under his legs. He seems to have some trouble bending down. And you know if it isn't just my feeling it is scary because it would mean his backs.

[psimanic1]

MPJ has to start from basics, someone has to get that "i am best player on this team but no one wants to pass to me" mentality out of his head. He has potential, but if you cant find good spot to take your shot when you are playing with Jokic, then you have to start from yourself first. He has to start playing like RJ and Zeke, those guys are not even looking to shoot if they are not completely open, they play within a team flow, not breaking it, playinf tough, playing good defense, doing small things. I know we all hate this is happening because we have to watch Barton holding the ball for 20 sec, but it is what it is, Jokic cant put you in better position than others, you cant just stans in one spot and wait to get the ball and shoot it over someone, you have to MOVE

[NuggetsWY]

Jokic should have dominated against Boston's centers - and he did.

Murray with Campazzo's first NBA start had a decent game - especially considering Boston plays Brown at SG a lot and he's really more of a SF - which makes for a tough match-up.

Boston's forwards; Tatum & Ojeleye (and Brown) are definitely better than Denver's forwards. They certainly dominated against Green & Porter.

Boston's bench outscored Denver's bench 30-14. Not a good thing, but not the big difference in the game (see "forwards comment above").

All of that went pretty much as expected IMO. Boston's top three scorers had 65 points. Denver's top three scorers had 83 points. Makes me wonder if Bol might have helped (but he hasn't shown too much this year). Not sure if we missed Millsap that much? But he might have made a difference. For all the Nuggets' posters that have been trying to land Gordon or Collins or whomever; it seems that might be we need a forward that can make a difference (but I'll still object to trading Porter and now will add Nnaji to my no-trade list). Our young forwards just need to learn how to play. Malone is supposed to be good at developing young players, so let's see --- this is a rough year for young players with the limited off-season, pre-season. Hopefully they can be effective by the end of the year --- patience is what we really need.

I surely do hate to sound like coach, but playing 60 minutes of rookies Nnaji, Hampton, Howard did not help. I do like that they got to play - it will help them learn. Nnaji & Hampton are making an effort on both ends of the court - not always effectively, but they can learn how to become more effective. Howard looks like a variation of Campazzo to me --- and I consider that a good thing.

[Timmyyy]

Really disappointing outing for our forwards, that was pathetic.

Zeke looked like our best defender for most of the game (thats the reason he played most of the 4th quarter instead of Michael, he makes surprisingly few mistakes on defense for a rookie) and him not being involved on offense is only partially on him, so I give him a pass for that game. But Michael and Green were indeed really bad. So I agree with you.

Haven't watched the wizards game yet, but if Zeke can keep this level of defense up (for now mostly one-on-one and perimeter d) while being used on offense occasionally it will be tough to sit him when everybody is healthy. If he shows signs of improvement with his interior defense (defensive rebounding and rim protection) I think there would be no way to justify it.