Denver Nuggets: Lakers game recap
By Blake Holmes
![LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Wilson Chandler #21 of the Denver Nuggets splits the defense of Lonzo Ball #2 and Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a preseason game at Staples Center on October 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Wilson Chandler #21 of the Denver Nuggets splits the defense of Lonzo Ball #2 and Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a preseason game at Staples Center on October 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b4f3421b2832ade6ef088fe99c75c677baa97417b76dd60198967db8dd02d0a6.jpg)
After the second game of the preseason, the Nuggets are now 2-0.
Their second win came from the Staples Center in Los Angeles against the Lakers. It was a quality win, in which the Nuggets overcame a very slow start to get the dub. For the most part, the game went in a direction that many fans could have guessed it going.
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Emmanuel Mudiay struggled after playing a big game against the Warriors. Here he only had 6 points on 2-5 shooting with four assists and four turnovers. Turnovers have always been a bad part of Mudiay’s game, and it hurts to see them happen again here. That being said, there is still a lot of preseason to go, and he will have several other chances to impress.
Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic both had quietly good nights, Millsap having 11 points compared to Jokic’s 16. The Joker was definitely stroking it from deep, finishing the game at 3-4 from beyond the arc. Each of their plus-minus was at +17. That’s a very high number.
Both of the draft picks got their first career buckets in the game, Tyler Lydon and Monte Morris. Lydon got his on a wide-open dunk after a dribble-drive to the paint. Morris’ was on a lay up while contested late in the game. Both were respectable plays, and hopefully they were the first of many for these young players.
That's a way to score a first NBA bucket. https://t.co/oZYNvPllaD
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 3, 2017
Monte Morris is on the board for the first time! https://t.co/At1MCVaCfZ
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 3, 2017
Wilson Chandler was busy getting steals, finishing with five of them. Aside from also adding five rebounds, he had a pretty basic performance, but that didn’t stop him from getting a +15 plus-minus rating.
Finally, the star of the show was none other than the fourth year player, Gary Harris. Harris had a break-out season last year, and is looking to possibly improve this season. Well, let’s just say that if he plays like he did in this game all year long, it could be fun to watch. Harris was on fire from three-point land, finishing at 5-7 from beyond the arc. He also went 8-11 overall, and finished with 25 points, the game-high total. Harris joined Jokic and Millsap with having a plus-minus rating of +17 in this game as well.
It was a great win for the team, and it’s on to the next one for the Nuggets.
Next: Nuggets will honor legends opening night
Box Score: ESPN