Denver Nuggets Get Big Win in Home Opener Against Sacramento Kings

In the Denver Nuggets 2017-2018 home opener, the Nuggets set out to impress the legends that sat inside of the Pepsi Center.

The Nuggets started with a lineup of Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Wilson Chandler, Paul Milsap, and Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets lost the jump and the Kings were the first ones up on the board as Justin Jackson sank a 3-footer. Following Jackson’s three, Gary Harris was able to make an alley oop with an assist from Nikola Jokic.

Within the last five of the first quarter, the Nuggets started to lose speed and that showed with multiple turnovers. After Denver held on to their lead through the majority of the first quarter, the Kings were able to take the lead with 1:49 remaining in the first, ultimately ending the first quarter 18-17. Ending the first, Denver shot 7-22 from the field while Sacramento was 7/20 from the field.

Going into the second, the Nuggets hit the ground running and on their ninth attempt from beyond the arc, Will Barton was able to sink the first three for Denver. Denver Nugget was easily responsible for a boost of energy to his teammates as they took the lead back with an 11-0 run with 9:43 remaining in the quarter. With 7:02 left, the Nuggets took a timeout with a 10 point lead, 33-23. To end the half, the Nuggets ended with an 8 point lead, 42-34.

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The Nuggets had a very special halftime presentation for six of the most special players to play for the Nuggets and not to mention the incredible Doug Moe, who spent his day celebrating his 80th birthday. Each of these incredible men was presented with their own replicas of the banners that hang in the Pepsi Center. These legends were also presented with crystal basketballs for the commemorative 50th anniversary of Denver Nuggets (and Rockets) basketball.

As the Nuggets and Kings left the locker room and came out to kick off the second half of the game, the Nuggets were able to continue their dominance through the first five minutes of the quarter before they began to fall. As the Nuggets continued to have turnovers, Mike Malone called a timeout with 6:52 remaining in the third. Coming out of the timeout, Denver started to force turnovers and found themselves up by 13 points, 53-40. The Nuggets were able to end the third up 14, 66-52. This is the lowest amount of points that the Nuggets have allowed through three quarters since February 11, 2009.

The fourth started off with Faried, Mudiay, Jokic, Chandler, and Barton and an immeidate forced turnover. With 7:41 remaining in the fourth, the Nuggets had a 21 point, 76-55 lead—the biggest of the night. As the Kings changed from a pick and roll offense to one where they were freely passing, Denver began to have a difficult time defensively and the Kings were able to cut their deficit down to just 16, 81-65. As the quarter came to a close, the Nuggets lost their energy but were still able to seal a 96-79 win in the Pepsi Center.

Kenneth Faried was a big difference maker for the Nuggets in the first half. At the end of the first half, Faried was the only player in the game to be in double figures. Faried’s energy brought the Nuggets back from a disappointing first quarter into a somewhat exciting, sometimes ugly battle through the final three quarters. Nikola Jokic went scoreless—his sixth scoreless game in his Nuggets career.

Denver v Sacramento Quick Stats

Nuggets: Kings:

FG%: 43.5% 36.9%

3PT%: 33.3% 34.8%

FT%: 60% 69.2%

Rebounds: 58 38

Team Leaders

Millsap: 18p/9r/2a

Faried: 18p/8r/1a

Harris: 17p/1a

The Nuggets will face the Wizards on Monday, October 23rd in the Mile High City.

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