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Nuggets must have someone else take game winning shots

By Mathew Huff

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets brings the ball down the court against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Pepsi Center on January 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets brings the ball down the court against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Pepsi Center on January 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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After the last two losses, it is clear the Nuggets need to pick a different closer.

Earlier in the season, the Denver Nuggets got a close, one point win over the Chicago Bulls. Thanks to a Will Barton game winning lay up, Denver escaped a close call to a struggling Chicago squad.

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Ever since then, the Nuggets have not had another game winning shot and Will Barton has attempted his fair share of them.

Will Barton can score in bunches at times, but when it matters most, Barton has been ice cold. In the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, he drove the lane and actually lost control of the ball when he tried a game winning drive to the rim. In the one point loss to the Celtics, he air balled a three point shot to win the game, though much of the blame can be attributed to Coach, Michael Malone for not calling a timeout in that game. The following game, Barton missed another game winning three pointer against the San Antonio Spurs. This time, it was actually a good shot as he was open and it rimmed in and out.

However, he is proving more and more he cannot be the closer for the Nuggets. On the other hand, Coach Malone needs to stop putting his faith in Barton to will the team to close wins and start trusting guys like Jokic, Murray and Harris to take the game winning shots.

They have developed nicely as a young core and allowing them to get experience in clutch situations which will allow them to grow. Jamal Murray has proven to be clutch lately as he has hit three clutch shots in the final minutes of games lately.

Next: Nuggets at Spurs: Player grades

If anyone deserves to be the closer, it would the “Blue Arrow.”

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