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Denver Nuggets: Answering Three Burning Questions after Another Tight Loss

By Nathan Beighle

Nov 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) battles for the ball with Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder (17) and forward James Johnson (16) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Heat won 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) battles for the ball with Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder (17) and forward James Johnson (16) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Heat won 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends as guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Hawks defeated the Nuggets 119-105. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends as guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Hawks defeated the Nuggets 119-105. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Why isn’t the Mudiay-Jokic-Murray lineup more prevalent?

The Jokic-Mudiay-Murray lineup has appeared in 10 games, and of those ten games the Nuggets are 4-6 in them. In those 10 games, this lineup saw just 7.5 minutes per game, and in those minutes they averaged 17.2 points. Also their 3.2 turnovers in this time is far below most other lineups that involve Emmanuel Mudiay.

While not often used, the basketball thought process would assume that his lineup would be excellent. It would give Mudiay several outlets when he gets down low on drives. Insert Gallo and Chandler also, and it could Denver “Death Lineup.” Even without them, it may be smart for Coach Malone to insert Jokic back into the starting lineup.

Jokic just came off of an excellent 17 points and 14 rebound effort against Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat, and if he starts to Heat up (Did you catch that pun?), Coach Malone may insert him back into the starting lineup. The Nuggets starters have struggled to open games, and Jokic may be the answer.

His soft touch and scoring ability would allow Denver to hopefully not get in the whole early.

As so answer the question, those three are in different rotations, so they usually do not get to see time together, but it might be beneficial for Coach Malone to look deeper into using that lineup.

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