Nuggets show off new, aggresive defensive scheme in preseason win over Lakers

Through six training camp practices and now two preseason games, Nuggets’ coach Michael Malone’s focus has been simple: defense.

Denver showed flashes of potential on the defensive end of the floor in their opening night win in Golden State where they held the high-flying Warriors attack to just 40.2 percent shooting, but tonight, in the Nuggets’ 113-107 win over the Lakers, Denver displayed their new-found defensive identity for nearly the full 48 minutes — one that’s likely going to determine just how high they can climb in the competitive Western Conference this season.

After a tentative opening quarter, much like the one the Nuggets played against Golden State, Denver emerged with their first lead of the game at 43-42 mid-way through the second frame. Then, a quick 20-7 run to close the half and quarter where the Nuggets outscored the Lakers 35-25 set the table for Denver to let their offense take over in the second half.

That second quarter put the Nuggets’ new and improved defensive scheme on display for a national audience that was tuning in to watch Denver’s dynamic frontcourt duo of Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic but instead, they saw 16 Laker turnovers as the Nuggets held Lonzo Ball and Co. to just 36.4 percent shooting over those 12 minutes.

Denver was trapping on pick-and-rolls — a style they rarely deployed last season, and routinely brought Jokic out to the three-point line after he rarely left the painted area a year ago. The 22-year-old found himself in some first-half foul trouble, but two silly and avoidable backcourt fouls which plagued the big man last year were to blame, not Denver’s aggressive scheme.

In total, the Lakers racked up 22 turnovers and Ball, Jordan Clarkson, and Tyler Ennis couldn’t get into much of a rhythm against Denver’s defense all night. Wilson Chandler, who finished with nine points and five rebounds was credited with a game-high five steals.

“Once we get stops, we know we want to run,” Gary Harris said.

But don’t worry, Denver’s offense still had plenty of pep. Harris scored a game-high 25 points on an efficient 8-11 shooting from the field and 5-7 from three in just 21 minutes. Jokic tallied 16 points and nailed three threes, as did Juancho Hernangomez who finished with 11 points. After a 24-point outing two nights ago against the Warriors, Paul Millsap racked up a quiet 11 points on 4-7 shooting but did most of his damage on the defensive end of the floor.

After Jamal Murray got the start against Golden State, Emmanuel Mudiay was given his chance with the starting unit against the Lakers. With Murray not doing much to separate himself in what Malone has described as an “open competition” over the first two exhibitions, Mudiay, who started 41 games for Denver last season, had an opportunity to vault himself ahead of Murray and into the driver’s seat for Denver’s starting point guard.

But Mudiay scored just six points on 2-5 shooting to go with three rebounds and four assists and committed a game-high four turnovers. Murray, who shot just 2-9 for seven points didn’t put any distance between himself and Mudiay either, but it was a missed opportunity from Mudiay. Malone is hoping to decide on a point guard before Denver’s third preseason game meaning Wednesday, when the Nuggets again take on the Lakers, could decide the Nuggets’ opening night starting point guard.

Footnotes

Trey Lyles, who ran with Denver’s bench unit as their backup power forward against Golden State, rested tonight against the Lakers. That allowed Kenneth Faried, who did not play Saturday, to log 21 minutes. Faried scored eight points and registered four rebounds.

Jameer Nelson (toe) missed his second straight game.

The Nuggets take on the Lakers again Wednesday in Ontario, Calif.