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Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings recap

By Michael Longhofer

Sacramento Kings v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - MARCH 11: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on March 11, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 930631850
Sacramento Kings v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - MARCH 11: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on March 11, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 930631850 /
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The Denver Nuggets beat the Sacramento Kings 130-104 at Pepsi Center to keep pace in the Western Conference standings.

The Denver Nuggets got double-digit scoring from six players.  Four of the five starters scored in double-digits with Devin Harris adding 11 and Trey Lyles, 14 from the bench.

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Leading the Nuggets scoring was Gary Harris with 21.  Murray and Jokic both put up 20 and Wilson Chandler added 16.  Jokic posted his 7th triple-double of the season, adding 11 rebounds and 11 assists.  An off night offensively saw Paul Millsap score 6 with an uncharacteristically poor two-for-five from the free-throw line.

The visiting Kings were led by Buddy Hield, off the bench, with 18. Kosta Koufos posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

While the score was fairly close at the end of the first, the Nuggets were in control wire-to-wire in this one.  This game is a bit of a relief for the Nuggets and their fans.  It’s not often this season we aren’t wringing our hands in the fourth quarter of Nuggets games.  Not so with the Kings who came in having been eliminated from playoff contention.

The old guard of the Sacramento Kings was all smiles and praise for the young Core of this Nuggets team.  Playful interaction with Zach Randolph and Vince Carter further made this a fun game and a big sigh of relief.

While the good feelings washed over the Pepsi Center and Denver, a cold reality was also at work.  The Wolves beat the shorthanded Warriors, the Lakers beat the Cavs and Utah beat the Pelicans.  This is the nature of this insane West race.  Winning isn’t enough, rattling off nine or 10 game win-streaks seems to be the path to the higher seeds.  Houston, NOLA and Portland have all had long winning streaks lately.

The good news with the standings is that while the Nuggets currently sit tied for 9th in the West with Utah, they are only 1.5 games out of fourth.

Next: Millsap vs. Randolph

Each remaining game for the Nuggets is a must-win, starting with Tuesday’s contest in Los Angeles against the budding rival Lakers.

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