DNVR Player Grades: 2019 vibes

Twenty four hours before the Nuggets tipped off Friday night in Milwaukee, Michael Malone declare the Denver’s come-from-behind victory over the Utah Jazz as “maybe” the win of the season.

He had to amend that statement the following night.

The Nuggets’ 127-115 win against the Bucks might not just be Denver’s best victory of the year. It may be one of if not the best win of the Malone era. Down three starters (Paul Millsap, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray) and a key reserve (Mason Plumlee), the Nuggets handed the Bucks their seventh loss of the season and just their third defeat at home.

Like it did the previous night against Utah, Denver again used a big run in the third quarter to capture the momentum of the game. The Nuggets outscored the Bucks 40-24 in the third, overwhelming Milwaukee and Giannis Antetokounmpo (31 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists) at times with their length. Denver shot 7 of 13 from three-point range in the quarter and hit on a season-high 22 of its 46 triples on the night.

It was a throwback 2018-19 performance. Down three starters — just like they were against Utah — Denver played like it belonged. The Nuggets shot the ball with confidence.They defended like every possession was their last of the course of the second half. For most of the game they played with a swagger like victory was never in doubt.

It resulted in the Nuggets’ best win of the season.

Now, the grades.

The Honor Roll

Nikola Jokic – A

There’s a chance, a very real chance, that for all the praise we’ve thrown Jokic’s way over the last couple of seasons he deserves so much more. How many other players in the league could carry their team the way Jokic has over the last two seasons when Denver has been so severely undermanned? One? Two? Three? It’s not a long list. Jokic finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. He wasn’t even on the court for some of the Nuggets’ biggest run of the night (Jokic finished a -9), but still closed out Milwaukee in style down the stretch.

Will Barton – A

The other constant in Denver’s starting five over this recent stretch of injuries, Barton was great in Milwaukee, tallying 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. He was 6 of 9 from three.

Malik Beasley – A

What’s hotter than a red-hot Beasley? He hit on five of his 10 triples against the Bucks, maybe none bigger than his 3 from the corner with just under three minutes which pushed the Nuggets’ lead to 12. Can the Nuggets really deal him at the deadline? Beasley chipped in 16 points off the bench and finished a team-high plus-25.

Michael Porter Jr. – A

Here’s a stat to chew on. Porter, in his first NBA season, has been the best non-center or power forward rebounder in the league. On the year, Porter has registered a 14.7 REB%, which also ranks first among all rookies who have played a significant amount of minutes. He was great on the offensive end of the floor against the Bucks and finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Juancho Hernangomez – A

Juancho? Juancho? Yep, Hernangomez came alive for the first time in months to contribute 12 points and five rebounds. He converted on two triples and shot 5 of 9 from the field. A throwback performance indeed. Give Hernangomez credit for not shying away from taking 3s in the midst of a 2019-20 campaign where he’s shooting just 26% from distance.

PJ Dozier – A

Dozier’s length has made a huge difference on Denver’s second unit over the last month. He’s a legitimate 6-foot-6 and makes the Nuggets a much more dangerous defense. That length helps on offense too, allowing Dozier to see different passing angles and get to spots on the floor that others just can’t. He finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists and if he can hit three-pointers, there’s no doubt that Dozier has a place in this league.

Torrey Craig – A

What a back-to-back for Craig. After a standout night (and the DNVR Game Ball) against the Jazz and Donovan Mitchell, Craig was great again in Milwaukee. He even nailed a trio of 3s to go with five rebounds and two assists.

Monte Morris – A

Morris helped steer Denver’s ship against the Bucks, contributing 14 points, 1 rebound and 1 assists. He didn’t turn it over in 29 minutes and as a team, the Nuggets only registered 12 total turnovers, a huge key to their win.

Jerami Grant – A

When you talk about Denver’s added length this year it starts with Jerami Grant. He had seven(!) blocks, two of which came against Antetokounmpo on one possession in the first quarter. He also blocked an Eric Bledsoe three and a Brook Lopez layup. He was everywhere.