Juancho’s block seals Denver Nuggets’ victory over champs

(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In a high anxiety affair for any Denver Nuggets fan, the team was able to pull out a two point victory over the Golden State Warriors.

The Denver Nuggets are on a roll to start off the regular season. They are now three and zero after they defeated the defending champs by a final score of 100-98.

There were plenty of flaws in this game on both sides and the Nuggets will need to work these kinks out if they want to keep up this type of success. Let’s delve into the negatives first.

Denver had an abysmal night from the free throw line. As a team, they were only 57.1% from the charity stripe and Paul Millsap missed a crucial free throw with around eight seconds to go in the fourth quarter. Luckily, Juancho Hernangomez also known as the “Warrior killer,” came and saved the day as he blocked Golden State’s game tying attempt.

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This type of performance from the free throw line will not get the job done against the Warriors the next time these teams meet and I will bet money on this statement. Now, for the bright sides.

Denver has yet to give up 100 points this year as they held the high powered Warriors to only 98 points as alluded to already. Coming into the game, the Nuggets were the highest rated team in the league when it came to points per game allowed per foxsports.com. It looks as if the Nuggets are actually a defensive force to be reckoned with this season, especially if Millsap continues to get stat lines consisting of three steals and one block or something similar on a consistent basis.

Nikola Jokic did Nikola Jokic things as he came away with a solid all around game with 23 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. The high point man of the night was Gary Harris as he notched 28 points to go along with two steals and a block while shooting 55% from the field.

What is even more impressive is that the team knocked off the defending champs with Jamal Murray struggling going 0-9 from the field and being short handed as Will Barton went down with a groin injury in the Phoenix game the night before.

The resilience this squad has showed in the first few games of the year is going to pay dividends and should have Nuggets Nation ecstatic for what this season holds.

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Time to rejoice Nuggets Nation, we are officially a threat in the Western Conference again!