Recap: Nuggets Host Thunder
The Denver Nuggets played their first and only game of the preseason in the Pepsi Center and found a disappointing loss to OKC and the Big 3.
Quarter by Quarter
OKC started off hot through the first, ending the quarter 25-17 over Denver. Going into the second quarter, the Nuggets picked up the pace and were able to keep up with OKC, ending the half with a score of 49-39. This ten point deficit for the Nuggets set the pace for the remainder of the game.
After the half, Denver came onto the court ready to fight and were able to end the third quarter just five points shy of where OKC sat, the score now 69-64. By the end of the fourth, the Nuggets weren’t able to pull it off and the Thunder left Denver with a winning score of 96-86.
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Improvements
As it was on Sunday night against the Spurs, the Nuggets were unable to out-rebound the Thunder. Denver had 11 offensive rebounds and 35 defensive rebounds while OKC had 12 offensive boards and 44 defensive rebounds.
Again, points off of turnovers was yet another issue that Denver had. The Thunder had 27 points off of Denver’s 17 turnovers. The Nuggets? Just 17 points off of 22 turnovers.
Quick Stats
Nuggets: Thunder:
FG%: 34.1% 42.9%
3PT%: 33.3% 39.5%
FT%: 65.4% 37.5%
Rebounds: 46 56
As documented above, the Nuggets could not get hot shooting the ball. They were 29-85 attempted shots and just 11-33 from beyond the arc. The Thunder sat at 39-91 attempted shots and 15-38 from downtown. Denver also only made 65.4% of their free throws on 17-26 made shots from the charity stripe.
The Big Three
OKC’s Big 3 were the difference makers for tonight’s game. Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony combined for 55 of OKC’s 96 points. Denver’s starters combined to have 36 of the Nuggets’ 86 points.
Will Barton was the shining star for the Nuggets tonight. Off of the bench, Barton had 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in his 30 minutes. The next highest scorer for Denver was Nikola Jokic with a double-double. Jokic has 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists in his 23 minutes. Gary Harris followed closely behind with 11 points in 27 minutes.
Next Steps
The boys in blue can learn from tonight’s game before heading into the season opener against the Utah Jazz next Wednesday, October 18th in Utah.
The Nuggets’ home opener will be Saturday, October 21st against the Sacramento Kings.