Nuggets do it again with defense, earn impressive road win in OKC

During the first three years of the Michael Malone era, the Denver Nuggets played some of the most porous defense in the NBA. They finished 23rd in defensive efficiency last season — an improvement from 25th- and 29th-place finishes from the first two years. The constant defensive breakdowns frustrated Malone to no end, and the Nuggets head coach never stopped harping on the need to play more complete basketball.

A quarter of the way through Malone’s fourth season at the helm, Denver is finally doing so. The Nuggets entered Saturday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder ranked fifth in defensive efficiency. On the second night of a back-to-back, Denver frustrated Oklahoma City into a 35.9 percent shooting night on its way to a 105-98 win.

The Nuggets led by as many as 25 in the second quarter, but the Thunder slashed their lead to three with 3:07 to go. The Nuggets managed to hang on as Torrey Craig scored some big baskets and Mason Plumlee came up with a timely strip. Craig, who started at shooting guard with Gary Harris (left ankle) sidelined, finished with eight points and 10 rebounds, six of which were offensive.

Jamal Murray scored a team-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists. Nikola Jokic (6-for-20 FG) had a tough shooting night but found his rhythm late to end up with 16 points.

Denver held Oklahoma City to 9 for 39 shooting from 3-point land. Russell Westbrook shot 1 for 12 from deep.

The Nuggets are 13-7. They next play the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.