Grades: Nuggets fumble comeback opportunity against Lakers

The Denver Nuggets never quite found their way in defeat at the hands of the Lakers Monday night. The Nuggets stayed connected in a slog featuring some underwhelming first-half performances from Nikola Jokić and Michael Porter. The entire game looked as though it took place underwater as both teams gritted their teeth through a nationally televised grind fest. It wasn’t until the Lakers put some separation between them that Denver stepped down on the gas pedal. A late run turned a potential embarrassment into a near comeback, but it was “too little too late,” as head coach Michael Malone said after the game.

There’s so much to discuss from the final possessions in this game, and we’ll do it in the report card section.

To the grades:

Nikola Jokić – B+

There’s much to make of a crucial foul call on Facundo Campazzo late in the fourth quarter, and we’ll get into that. But let’s start where Jokić told us to after the game:

“We had a chance. I don’t think (The Facu Call) was a big deal. Just a play…I think the main problem is we didn’t shoot well — me first. They did a good job, but I think I missed a couple of layups.”

He’s right. Jokić never found that all-universe touch that stands out as much as anything about his game. He missed some bunnies, missed his 3s, and, as he also pointed out after the game, missed a key rebound.

With the Lakers lead down the 2 with 23 seconds remaining, Talen Horton-Tucker made the inexplicable decision to run isolation and take it to the rack himself. It didn’t work, in large part, thanks to some good initial defense from Austin Rivers. We will address Rivers’ role in what ensued later, but he forced a miss, and somehow Jokić missed the easy defensive rebound. THT corralled the loose ball and put back a layup to extend the lead.

https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1389442060378206210?s=20

One more note on Jokić — he cooked Andre Drummond, and we already know about Montrezl Harrell. The Lakers finally turned back to previously exiled Marc Gasol, and he turned in some quality minutes. Malone called him a “difference maker” after the game.

Jokić finished with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block on 12/28 from the field.

Michael Porter Jr. – B-

The Lakers game planned for Porter Jr., and they successfully took him out of large stretches of the game. It’s not that Denver failed to call his number — they tried. But the Lakers blew up multiple DHO’s and forced Porter into either tough shots or stagnancy. Moreover, Porter allowed himself to fade. The body language wasn’t great, but hopefully, the experience was. That was a window into Porter’s life without Murray in the playoffs. There’s only one way forward.

Aaron Gordon – B-

From an offensive perspective, Gordon’s box score looks horrid. But his role looked clearly defined Monday night — make life difficult for Anthony Davis. Davis ultimately played a good game, but Gordon got the better of him on multiple possessions. He looked stout and nimble, blocking Davis’ jump shot twice. Gordon finished with four blocks, and Denver recovered the loose ball on all four occasions.

Facundo Campazzo – B+

Let’s get the positives out of the way: Campazzo hit half his shots, recorded eight assists, somehow managed to corral four rebounds, and stole the ball five times — an NBA career-high.

Now let’s get to that call, as mentioned earlier.

The Nuggets saw three crucial points taken off the board late in the fourth quarter. Campazzo found Porter open on the wing and allowed his momentum to carry him across the pain toward Porter. Depending on your perspective, either Facu, Davis, or both players took an unnatural path.

Campazzo appeared to change direction with his momentum steps, and Davis took a wide turn, seemingly content to draw the collision and sell the call. It worked out that way, as the only perspective that mattered deemed it a moving screen.

Davis also blocked Campazzo’s late-three, Denver’s last push for victory.

https://twitter.com/isolationba/status/1389442704942190597?s=20

PJ Dozier – N/A

In arguably the most critical development all night, Dozier fell to the ground and grabbed at his groin area before ultimately being helped off the floor by staff. The team later called it Right Hip Soreness and announced Dozier was questionable to return, which sounded optimistic when juxtaposed with the image of him slumping to the ground in pain. His status remains up in the air. The basketball gods fired another shot, and time will tell if the Nuggets missed a bullet.

Austin Rivers – F

In the most important play of the game, Rivers stood and watched. Sure, his initial defense forced the miss, but watch again as he takes himself entirely out of the play.

https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1389442060378206210?s=20

He could have and should have helped Jokić prevent the second chance opportunity. It’s unlikely Rivers blocks that shot, and perhaps he ends up committing a foul, but that would be a preferable result to what unfolded.

Shaquille Harrison — D+

That was probably Harrison’s worst performance since arriving in Denver.

JaMychal Green – D+

Green grabbed seven rebounds, which would be cool if he didn’t knock the ball out of Jokić’s hands seven times too. That second count is unofficial, but it jives with the eye test. He also missed all three of his attempts from deep.

JaVale McGee – B-

McGee got the nod over Paul Millsap on the same night he received his championship ring from the Lakers. McGee played well offensively but turned it over twice, committed four fouls, and unleashed chaos on an already ugly game. Better rebounding and more controlled play could’ve vaulted him to a much better grade — perhaps the honor roll even. Alas.

Game Notes:

Bol Bol, Vlatko Čančar, Markus Howard, and Paul Millsap Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision.

Jamal Murray, Monte Morris, Will Barton III, and Zeke Nnaji (Left Ankle Sprain) were unavailable.