A Tale of Two Struggles: Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns came into the Pepsi Center looking to continue its success on the road versus the tough defensive Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets, however, had other plans.

After the Phoenix Suns escaped the Target Center with a win following a missed Karl Anthony-Towns three-point attempt, the odds stacked against the shorthanded roster. Mike Malone’s chippy group has instilled the coach’s no-nonsense identity on defense. Sunday night’s Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns is a tale of two struggles.

Unfortunately, for the Suns, Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes were unable to suit up to avenge the 107-108 loss from late October. Baynes missed due to a hip injury; Rubio still suffering from back spasms. The two newfound Suns put an otherwise disappointing team in a different light. Without their veteran presence, this contest was already deemed an uphill battle.

On the other side, Denver’s defensive performance over the Houston Rockets launched them into elite territory. Not only did they hold Houston to only 95 points, but they also contained James Harden. Then, following a scary moment with Kemba Walker, survived a ground-and-pound contest versus the Boston Celtics with an early 2000’s score of 92-96.

The Nuggets were primed for a tired Suns squad missing core players. However, the Suns didn’t lie down and take the beating. Still, the Nuggets weathered the storm and handled business at home in a 104-116 victory.

First Half

The first quarter was a power struggle. Neither team wavered in momentum as the team tied after 12 minutes. Both coaches kept their explosive guards for the entirety of the first with Jamal Murray and Devin Booker, commanding attention throughout the quarter. Booker ultimately wasn’t a massive factor despite a load of minutes in the first quarter.

Murray, on the other side of the coin, touted 10 points on 71 true shooting percentage after 12 minutes of gameplay. Rubio’s presence was sorely missed, and the Nuggets took advantage early in the game. Not to forget, Paul Milsap was another benefactor of the Suns’ bare frontcourt in the first quarter scoring 12 points and accumulating five three throws.

Phoenix’s saving grace of the first half could be a nominee for NBA on TNT’s “Who Does He Play For?” Elie Okobo scored an efficient 11 points on a 91 true shooting percentage. More impressively, the sophomore was a +10 in the plus/minus boxscore, which led both teams in the first half of action.

Jamal Murray was the notable performer of the Nuggets heading into the second half. Nikola Jokic‘s eight rebounds and four assists are worth mentioning, but Murray’s 17 points on 50 percent three-point shooting kept the Pepsi Center alive. Speaking of staying alive, Dario Saric, one of the “trust the process” originals, registered a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Second Half

As the flames on Murray started to dwindle, the embers of Will Barton‘s soul ignited. It was the sheer persistence that put the Nuggets on the right track after trailing at halftime. Whether it was his four points in the paint, or the three-pointer from a side-step after a pump fake, Barton’s energy took the game by storm. His infectious efforts shifted the game’s momentum.

Booker continued his ghostly contribution in the third quarter by nearly recording a donut in the boxscore. Saric, however, answered the Suns’ desperate calls with another six boards in addition to his two three-point baskets. The fourth quarter finally drowned out the vain efforts of the Phoenix Suns starting lineup.

Denver’s bench sent the Phoenix Suns camping at the crowd’s delight. For seven minutes, Monte Morris was an absolute pleasure to watch in the fourth quarter. Aside from his 10 points in the fourth quarter, the drive-and-kick sequence with Malik Beasley was beautiful basketball.

Shining Team Stats

As previously stated, the frontcourt of the Suns wasn’t equipped to battle with Nikola Jokic and the energetic Mason Plumlee. The Denver Nuggets dominated the Suns on the offensive boards by snatching a 39.2 percent of their misses, while the Suns managed a measly 17.5 percent.

Nugg Love predicted transition defense as a significant factor in winning tonight’s contest.

Phoenix didn’t have a chance on the fast break, as the team mustered up a -0.7 per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass. Ultimately, it was a collective effort that put the Nuggets over the Suns.