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Denver Nuggets: Tough loss in Miami

By Michael Longhofer

Denver Nuggets v Miami HeatMIAMI, FL - MARCH 19: Kelly Olynyk #9 of the Miami Heat and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets tip-off to begin overtime at American Airlines Arena on March 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rob Foldy/Getty Images)Getty ID: 934757700
Denver Nuggets v Miami HeatMIAMI, FL - MARCH 19: Kelly Olynyk #9 of the Miami Heat and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets tip-off to begin overtime at American Airlines Arena on March 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rob Foldy/Getty Images)Getty ID: 934757700 /
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The Denver Nuggets dropped a double-overtime thriller to the Miami Heat Monday night.

The loss dropped the Denver Nuggets to 11-31 on the road, worst among the top-10 Western Conference teams.  The Heat improved to 21-13 on their home court.

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Miami was without perhaps it’s most recognizable players in Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside.  The Nuggets were once again minus the services of Gary Harris.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets offense with 34 points and 15 rebounds.  Normally a triple-double threat when his scoring is up like this, he handed out only 3 assists. Wilson Chandler added an efficient 26 and Jamal Murray, scoreless in the first half, dropped 23. The Heat got 31 points and 13 rebounds from James Johnson (no, the other one).  Reserve center Kelly Olynyk flared up for 30 points and 11 rebounds, Wayne Ellington added 23.

The Denver starters managed only 13 assists for the game, paced by Jamal Murray’s 5. The Heat out-assisted the Nuggets 36-23.  Both teams managed 46 rebounds.

It was the second consecutive road loss to start a 7-game trip for the Nuggets who find their once solid playoff hopes on life support. Two games back with 11 to play isn’t insurmountable but this Nuggets squad is looking like they won’t have the juice to compete for a top-eight spot.

The Nuggets are on the verge of being the only squad in the team’s 50-year history to finish above .500 and miss the playoffs. That is testament to how intense the Western Conference race has been this year.

Next for the Nuggets is the third game of the road-trip in Chicago.  The Bulls at  24-46 have been officially eliminated from playoff contention and represent another situation that should result in victory for the Nuggets. The Nuggets haven’t seen the Bulls since late-November.  To give you an idea how long ago it was they played Chicago, Kenneth Faried led the Nuggets with 13 rebounds in that game to go with Will Barton’s 37 points.

Maybe this would be a good time to see if Faried still has those 13 boards in him.

Next: Denver Nuggets blow it late

What more could the Nuggets lose?

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