Nuggets-Trail Blazers Grades: Silver linings emerge in close loss

With their three-best players resting, a short-handed Denver Nuggets squad almost beat the Portland Trail Blazers. Denver fell 115-108 on the road but showed some encouraging signs in the defeat.

We grade every performance from the Nuggets with our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR), which takes into account 12 different statistical factors.

Note: for DPRs that are lacking context, our beat reporters are offering their scout’s grade.

Gary Harris (B-) 65.46 — The best thing to come out of resting Denver’s big three was Harris’ performance. He registered his second-best DPR since early March and Harris even got himself some rest, playing only 24 minutes and still posting 18 points on a 67 eFG% and a 132 ORtg. Harris added two rebounds, two steals, and one assist and stayed turnover-free. An efficient showing for Denver’s forgotten star who’s DRtg of 114 was one of the few negatives in a 0 plus-minus outing.

Will Barton (C-) 53.53 — Barton performed at about a season average level despite having the opportunity to carry more of the offensive load, scoring only nine points on 38 eFG% as his shooting struggles continued. His ORtg (94) and DRtg (115) were fairly disappointing too. Barton was a minus-3 but did add six rebounds and two assists to elevate his grade.

Mason Plumlee (C+) 60.20 — Plumlee fouled out and struggled a bit to protect the rim on his own. He finished with a 108 DRtg and the Blazers had too many easy looks at the rim. However, he did tally a 10-point, 11-rebounds double-double with six assists and three blocks. Not too shabby. Had his 41 eFG% been better, Plumlee’s grade could’ve easily climbed into the B range.

Monte Morris (C) 54.62 — Morris didn’t exactly play his best in 24 minutes, scoring just nine points on a 35 eFG%. He also recorded a 120 DRtg, easily the worst of any starter. While he stayed turnover free, Morris only dished out three assists, and although he had one steal he just didn’t do much else to help himself. Despite those unimpressive offensive numbers, Morris did account for a 119 ORtg, meaning that his presence helped the Nuggets’ offense even if his box score didn’t show it.

Trey Lyles (C+) 64.11 — Lyles wasn’t out of this world, but he looked assertive on offense on his way to 15 points and nine rebounds. In addition, he shot it well with a 62 eFG% and was counted on a bit more with a fairly high 22.6 USG%. His 42 percent shooting from beyond the arc was a welcomed sign in 27 minutes. If not for a 117 DRtg, three turnovers and a minus-3 plus-minus, Lyles’ grade could’ve looked significantly better.

Torrey Craig (B-) 65.31 — Craig had himself another strong performance, shooting the ball well on his way to 13 points on an 82 eFG%. He also recorded a strong 172 ORtg. He added one block, two assists, and four rebounds in just 23 minutes. What hurt Craig’s grade were his DRtg of 119 and minus-7 plus-minus.

Malik Beasley (C) 57.73 — This was a pretty typical outing from Beasley who scored 15 points in just 24 minutes but didn’t contribute much else. Shooting 50 percent, per eFG% wasn’t terrific nor was his 120 DRtg. But Denver’s young swingman helped himself by pulling down three rebounds, one steal, and two assists.

Juancho Hernangomez (C-) 53.64 — Hernangomez was solid, but not spectacular. He scored seven points on a 58 eFG% and registered a 133 ORtg. Hernangomez also added four rebounds, one steal, and two assists and was a minus-4 outing. Your typical low-end C performance.

Isaiah Thomas (C-) 51.86 — Thomas struggled in this one. He had a fairly high 29.7 USG% and the Nuggets did their best to get him involved. His big issue was his shooting, as his 32 eFG% resulted in just 10 points in 24 minutes off of 14 shot attempts. Thomas also sported an ugly 72 ORtg and a 117 DRtg. With two steals and three assists, he was able to salvage his grade some in a minus-6 night.

Jarred Vanderbilt (F) 29.32 — An F might seem harsh for Denver’s young forward but with zero points, only one rebound and one steal in 12 minutes, his grade wasn’t going to be much better than an F. His 14 ORtg and 117 DRtg sealed his fate.