The Denver Nuggets were beat at their own game in Pepsi Center.
The Denver Nuggets were gassed mid way through the third quarter. Despite having put Philadelphia over the limit on fouls, the Nuggets started settling for too many jump shots showing how fatigued they were.
The 76ers took advantage and were able to cut into the paint with ease on the offensive end of the court. Denver could not get the three pointer to fall for the life of them in this game as they only shot seven for 32 from deep.
The 76ers were able to start getting their jumpers to go in the fourth quarter while Denver scrapped and clawed until the final seconds once again. Jamal Murray led the way with 31 points on 47.8% shooting from the field, but it was not enough to catapult Denver to a win in the end.
Two players who really struggled and must be blamed a bit for the loss are Mason Plumlee and Wilson Chandler. In 33 minutes of play, Chandler only came away with two points. Philadelphia started using the hack a Shaq strategy with Plumlee and Plumlee was only a terrible one for seven from the free throw line and could not get an easy basket to go if his life depended on it.
Coach Malone did not make the correct substitutions when needed and his main core was gassed in the second half which ultimately led to Denver’s demise. The Nuggets allowed Dario Saric and J.J. Reddick way too many open shots and it burned them in the end. This loss hurts and shows Denver still has a lot of things defensively to work on in order to become elite.
Next: Halftime Report: 76ers at Nuggets
They need to find some resolve without Millsap, otherwise, they will not be cut out for post season contention.