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Despite Win, Defense Still Remains Nuggets’ Biggest Woe

By Konstantinos Christofis

Feb 28, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone signals his team during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone signals his team during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) and Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) reach for the loose ball during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) and Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) reach for the loose ball during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Nuggets still have to address the defensive inefficiencies.

The Denver Nuggets managed to fend off the Milwaukee Bucks winning the season series against them. At the same time, the team allowed 100 or less points in a game for fifth time in 61 games. Instead of celebrating, the team should address its defense as we head closer to the end of regular season.

Mike Malone is considered a defensive specialist. However, according to Basketball Reference, last season, the team posted a 108.9 defensive rating (24th in the League). The majority of Nuggets fans were believing that with a healthy Wilson Chandler on board, the team would be better in perimeter defense, as they allowed opponents to score 37.1 % from long range, ranked bottom 5 in that regard.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Instead of improving, the Nuggets defense has taken a major step back this season. The team posts a defensive rating of 113.2, dead last in the league. Nuggets allow 47.6 points in the paint and let opponents score 37.3% from the arc, ranking 27th out of 30 in both categories. Kenneth Faried’s return will not improve things. The mid-season acquisitions of Mason Plumlee and Roy Hibbert will not give much help either, as both are not that fearsome interior defenders.

Based on stats.NBA.com, the most prolific line up on defense is the one that features Jameer Nelson, Garry Harris, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Nikola Jokic. The group have seen the floor together for 68 minutes in 12 games thus far. They post a defensive rating of 107.4; allowing a mere 5 points in the paint, 2 second-chance points and 1.3 points in fast break, on average. In addition, their opponents scoring 12.6 points while they dial in only 45 % of their attempts,

Nuggets can not do much to improve on defense at this point of the season. What can they done from now on, is to feature line ups with defensive orientation. Denver is likely to play post-season basketball after the 2012-13 season. With no defense, there will no be second chances against the Warriors or any #1 seed.

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