Denver Nuggets Coach Malone Disappointed in Win Against Clippers—Poor Defense

March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone coaches during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone coaches during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will Harden impose his beard on the Nuggets again?
Dec 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) guards Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver still has a lot to learn

But will this (lack of) defense win playoff-type games?

Again, guess who is coming to dinner this Saturday. Try #3 Power Ranked Houston; Houston, with the #3 scorer, #1 assist maker, #2 offense team in the NBA. Houston, who had defeated Golden State in double-overtime and destroyed the Nuggets 128-110 on a back-to-back December 2. The Nuggets were outworked.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

With the disappointing win but learning experience against the Clippers Thursday night, will the Nuggets continue their lackluster defense and get out worked again?

Or will they come with the trapping defense and pressure on the ball defense that has brought them the longest winning streak in the season and longest winning streak in the NBA.

And they had better get points off turnovers, critical for them. Trap, steal, run…. Fun!

Let’s hope they are mentally prepared to corral the Beard with traps and rotate to cover the ancillary shooters and drivers; let’s hope they dominate the paint and boards; let’s hope we have a complete team and game with the right focus.

Or?

Portland and Dallas are sniffing at the Nuggets to take the #8 spot right from under their noses.

Denver may not out-shoot Houston, so if they don’t play defense…tough defense for 48 minutes…