"They came in here and beat our butts": Malone, Nuggets looking for revenge against Pelicans

 

DENVER — The Nuggets are coming into a must-win matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans who have played each other three times in the last ten days. Denver has just four games remaining, including the Pelicans, and need wins in all four to give themselves a realistic chance at obtaining the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Regular season game No. 78 | Denver Nuggets (37-40) at New Orleans Pelicans (33-45)

Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado | 7:00 PM MST | TV: Altitude

 Nuggets looking for revenge

The Nuggets find themselves with must-win games lining the rest of their schedule, which start tonight against the Pelicans. Thankfully, Denver is looking to extract some revenge.

The Nuggets were beaten down by the Pelicans at Pepsi Center 115-90 in front of a near-sellout crowd that could ultimately be one of the defining losses of the season if Denver fails to reach the postseason. With the playoffs still somewhat within reach, to say Denver desperately wants another chance to take down the Pelicans at home would be an understatement.

“Let’s not forget that they came in here and beat our butts pretty good without Cousins and we were down by 35 at one point in that game,” Michael Malone said. “These games are important.”

Gary Harris also chimed in and echoed Malone’s words.

“We know who they are,” Harris said. “They beat us badly last time we played them at home…We need to continue to play with a sense of urgency and make them feel us. Gotta stay aggressive.”

If Denver does lose tonight, it will likely be the end of their playoff hopes. With Portland owning both tiebreakers and holding onto a game-and-a-half lead for the final playoff spot, every win is a necessity. Beating a worse team at home, something Denver has not done well this season is absolutely needed. This is the final stretch of the regular season and a win is needed tonight at all costs.

“Seven teams have clinched a spot in the west, six teams have been eliminated. Us and Portland, who are up a game and a half,” Malone said. “Yes, we are banged up and some guys will not be able to play tonight, but this a game that we have to go out and get.”

Denver is not done fighting. The Nuggets will play to the bitter end and if they do end up missing the playoffs it will not be because they threw in the towel and gave up.

“With four games to go we still believe,” Malone said. “Let’s continue to put pressure on Portland and try to win as many games as we can.”

Murray and Mudiay

With Jameer Nelson ruled out for Denver’s matchup with New Orleans, Jamal Murray will start and Emmanuel Mudiay play extended minutes as the backup point guard.

The two of them have been a mixed bag throughout the season but have both played well in the absence of Nelson as of late. Malone had high praise for the job Mudiay has done since rejoining the rotation where he’s averaged 12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists and just 1.7 turnovers in his last three games.

“With Emmanuel, his playmaking has really stood out for me,” Malone explained. “High assist to low turnovers, making plays for his teammates, being aggressive. He has shot the ball fairly well especially from the three-point line.”

Denver’s backcourt has performed admirably without Will Barton and Nelson. Malone is encouraged by the young backcourt rotation with Murray and Mudiay.

“I think the way the NBA game is going, in this modern day of the NBA, you throw out multiple playmakers on the floor and you become harder to guard. Emmanuel can make plays, Jamal can make plays. Even a couple times we have had Gary out there with those two and gone really small and those guys actually looked really good in the short while they played together. We are just proud of Emmanuel with how well he has played and, obviously, every game and starting job Jamal has will do nothing but help his development.”

Playoff Outlook

The Nuggets are currently down a game-and-a-half to the Portland Trail Blazers, who beat the Minnesota Timberwolves last night 105-98 behind 25 points from Allen Crabbe.

Denver can climb back into the race as long as Portland continues to struggle without Jusuf Nurkic. Denver will most likely need to win their remaining four games if they want their first playoff berth since the 2013 season.

“We have four games left and we need four and a row,” Danilo Gallinari said. “That is it.”