And it may actually be considered the biggest win of the young season, not because the Nuggets beat the Heat – but because they did as a team. There was no individual effort; no going one-on-one. Instead the Nuggets finished with 26 assists, shot .551 percent from the field and six players scored in double figures.

On the other side of the court, LeBron James led all scorers with a quiet 35 points, Dwyane Wade had 12 before leaving the game with a sprained ankle and the other member of the Big Three, Chris Bosh added 17.

George Karl also made a smart decision to shorten his bench. He switched back to a three-man rotation in the post, using Al Harrington as the only big man sub to go with Corey Brewer, Rudy Fernandez and Andre Miller. Chris Andersen had his first DNP-Coach’s Decision and Kosta Koufos played a garbage minute at the end. This might be a sign of things to come. (more…)