Game Recap: Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets

Apr 2, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (left) and forward Danilo Gallinari (center) and guard Jamal Murray (right) come on the floor after a timeout during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (left) and forward Danilo Gallinari (center) and guard Jamal Murray (right) come on the floor after a timeout during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) loses control of the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) loses control of the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Heading into the Toyota Center, the Nuggets were looking to win big against a great Rockets team so Denver would be one step closer to the playoffs.

Well, it was a nice try. Our Denver Nuggets came into the Rockets arena to try to surprise them and keep the nice rolls of wins in the chase to the postseason. Danilo Gallinari chipped in 23 points and Gary “MVP” Harris scored 17. But, they fell a little short as the Rockets defeated the Nuggets 110-104 in what was a MUST WIN GAME FOR DENVER! (As every game is from this point on).

The Nuggets started a little off early, as Houston was able to get a nice lead finishing the first quarter. The young Nuggs were desperately trying to get back at their feet and in some way, they did that in the 2nd quarter as they scored two more points than Houston did.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Still, the second half was a tough one as well.

The Rockets were getting to the free throw line like they were at practice. Getting call after call and shot after shot. We all know how good James Harden is at drawing fouls, but people can argue that players are taking advantage of that.

“They are masters at drawing the foul. Hopefully the league cleans it up. People are exploiting the system” said Malone about the free throws issue in this game as the Rockets shot 20 more free throws than the Nuggets.

Game changer? I’ll say yes.

This was definitely one of the factors that helped Houston get away with the victory tonight. And these are the kind of games that the Nuggets will have to learn from. This is truly a heart breaker, as we the Nuggets do not depend on winning anymore, but they depend that the Trail Blazers lose too.

Will they be able to get clutch enough to get that 8th spot? Nuggets fans still have faith. Let’s just hope they do.