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Denver Nuggets: Player grades from OKC

By Michael Longhofer

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 30, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 940296864
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 30, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 940296864 /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 30, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) Getty ID: 940296864
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 30, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) Getty ID: 940296864 /

Something about the Thunder brings out the best in the Denver Nuggets, this season.

Minus Wilson Chandler, who left the game after an elbow to the nose from Russell Westbrook, each of the Denver Nuggets shot greater than 40% from the floor.

This game was different, for the Nuggets.  They scored 114 in regulation but it was more of a balanced, half-court style than the free-flowing, three-heavy offense the Denver Nuggets have become known for.

They ground this game out, they withstood the Thunder run and they came away with one of the more satisfying road wins of the season.

Denver will have to send thank-you cards to the Thunder, every time this season it’s looked like the Nuggets were on the brink, along comes OKC to keep the Denver squad afloat.

Of course, Russell Westbrook didn’t go down without a fight, dropping 33/9/13.  I marvel at the commentary this year that Westbrook was undeserving of last year’s MVP award.  The Thunder would be in disarray without Westbrook.

We detailed, in the game takeaways, the stellar contributions of Mason Plumlee and Torrey Craig. While the whole Nuggets roster (those that played, anyway) was solid, there are a couple of players that deserve individual recognition.

I’d also like to note that at least for one night, Michael Malone was on top of his rotations and made the right calls down the stretch to get the Nuggets to victory.

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