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3 takeaways from Denver Nuggets Dec. 30 win over Miami Heat

By Kyle Berry

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Ball Arena on December 30, 2022 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Ball Arena on December 30, 2022 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Vlatko Cancar #31 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Ball Arena on December 30, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Vlatko Cancar #31 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Ball Arena on December 30, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /

Vlatko and KCP eye-popping efficiency

Vlatko Cancar and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope lit it up against the Heat to the tune of 35 points on a perfect 12-of-12 combined attempts from the floor.

KCP’s final three-pointer put the Heat away in the fourth with a friendly roll off a hot pass from Bones Hyland, and Cancar brought the energy with a thunderous dunk and pin-point accuracy throughout the evening.

Denver’s bench unit was firing away, anchored by Cancar who showed the ability to make quick decisions and add a sure hand to the Denver Nuggets’ already efficient offense led by back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic.

When Vlatko spends less time thinking and more time doing the Nuggets’ offense hums. On nights when Denver is not getting much out of Bruce Brown, Aaron Gordon, or Michael Porter Jr. it is essential that Caldwell-Pope and Cancar play this way.

KCP fit right back in with Denver’s stacked starting lineup and continues to fly under the radar with an extraordinary net rating when teamed with Jamal Murray, Gordon, and Jokic.

He has been draining kick-outs from Jokic and has teams in a blender right now deciding who to guard heavily. Efficiency is something Michael Malone harps on, and Malone surely is proud of the Georgia guard that Denver landed in their trade with Washington before the season.

Caldwell-Pope is a wonderful communicator as well, and the communication seems to be paying off as he continues to gel with his new squad.

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