The Denver Nuggets lost their 3rd straight game against the Kings, in what was one of the most important games of the season so far.
The Denver Nuggets really needed to win this game. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. From the beginning of the game, all the way to the end, you could tell there was something off about the team in general. Whether it was fatigue or just a lack of effort, it doesn’t matter. In the end, the Nuggets could have, and should have won this game. The Kings came in only a half game ahead of the Nuggets, but will continue on a game and a half above the Denver in the Western Conference standings. Meaning that they’re in sole possession of the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
It has always been tough to make the playoffs in the West. Teams usually need 45+ wins just to get into the eighth seed, but this year is different. Both the Trail Blazers and Pelicans have under-performed, leaving both the Nuggets and Kings able to get their chance at the eighth seed.
Even though the season isn’t even halfway over, it’s looking like the Nuggets don’t want to be a playoff team with the effort they’ve come out with in some of their games. Although the playoffs are still very much within reach for the Nuggets -and likely will be for most of the remainder of the season- they need to actually WANT to win in order to find their way into the playoffs.
The Denver Nuggets ended with 18 personal fouls and 14 turnovers, while the Sacramento Kings ended with 13 fouls and 8 turnovers. Both fouls and turnovers have been struggles of the Nuggets lately, and throughout the year. If the Nuggets would’ve limited their turnovers and/or fouls, the game would’ve been more winnable. It’s hard for teams in the NBA to commit as many turnovers as the Nuggets have this year and win consistently.
On a positive note, Nikola Jokic has consistently shown he is the best Nugget and has quickly become the centerpiece of the franchise.
Jokic can drop some DIMES https://t.co/LtrIhjFoL5
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 4, 2017
Not many centers in today’s NBA can make passes like these, and as soon as the media notices him, he will get star calls and that will definitely help the Nuggets chances. Jokic struggled some playing against Cousins, but he still finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Another bright spot for the Nuggets was the reappearance of Darrell Arthur. Arthur isn’t someone who is extremely noticeable, but his shooting and defense is notable. He has shown that he can affect the game for the better. In tonight’s lame performance, Arthur was one of the players who stood out as he shot 80% from three adding 12 points and finished with the best +/- on the team with a +10.
Must Read: Do the Nuggets Really Need a Trade?
The Nuggets head into a game against one of the league’s best teams, the San Antonio Spurs. The Nuggets have definitely struggled lately and will need to come out with much more energy than tonight’s performance if they want any chance to win at all.