JR The Closer?
During the Denver Nuggets current four-game winning streak they have beaten their opponents by an average of 16.3 points with an all-around team effort.
But over the previous three games the fourth quarter has become JR Smith time.
JR Smith, who has averaged 21.3 points over the last three games, has scored 45 of his 64 points in the fourth quarter. Of course it helps that the Nuggets have had a sizable lead going into the final quarter (smallest advantage was an 8-point advantage against the Atlanta Hawks)
But Smith has been closing teams out, against the Pistons he scored 21 points in the fourth to push the Nuggets advantage from 20 points to 30.
He also wasn’t afraid to shoot against New Orleans, scoring nine in the fourth to help hold off a Hornets rally.
And Wednesday night versus the Hawks he was held scoreless for the first three quarters but finally got hot in the fourth.
He went 6-for-7 in the quarter and finished the game with 15 points.
Smith has always been on the inconsistent side, which is the reason he is coming off of the bench and isn’t starting. But he is a dangerous player when he gets hot and has helped the new Nuggets improve to 9-2 after the Carmelo Anthony-trade.