The Mutant: Malik Beasley goes nuts as Nuggets finally crack code against Rockets

The Nuggets have tried everything imaginable to stop James Harden. They’ve switched, doubled and played him straight up. None of it has worked. Going into Friday’s national TV showdown, they’d lost nine straight games to The Beard and Co.

The Nuggets finally found a winning formula Friday, though: shoot so well, playing defense becomes irrelevant. Denver singed the nets on its way to an 83-point first half en route to a wild 136-122 win.

Malik Beasley came out scorching and never stopped. Beasley threw down a handful of nasty transition dunks and hit five 3s. He scored a career high 35 points, 22 of which he poured in in the first half.

The Nuggets were without their starting backcourt, Jamal Murray (left ankle) and Gary Harris (right abductor), but they provided plenty of fireworks. Torrey Craig came off the bench and also had a career high (33 points). Nikola Jokic, the day after being named to his first All-Star Game, was brilliant with 29 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Monte Morris had 18 points and eight assists because did you honestly expect him to wilt even though he was playing Chris Paul on national TV? (Couldn’t be me.)

The Nuggets snapped their losing streak against the Rockets, which dated all the way back to Dec. 14, 2015. They shot 63 percent from the field.

Harden was electric in the first half, but the Nuggets slowed him after the break. He finished with 30 points on 9-of-21 shooting. He’s now scored 30 points or more in 25 straight games.

The Nuggets are 36-14. They won’t get much time to rest after finally toppling Houston. They face the Timberwolves in Minnesota tomorrow.