Hassan Whiteside too much for Nuggets as Denver drops winnable game to Heat

 

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DENVER — The Denver Nuggets came into tonight’s matchup looking for a much-needed home win against an injury-riddled Miami Heat team. However, Denver was out-executed and turned the ball over 19 times, ultimately dropping a very winnable game 106-98.

The first half consisted of both sides playing lackadaisical defense while failing to execute on the offensive end. Hassan Whiteside was stuffing the stat sheet and ended the first half with a double-double while blocking a couple shots. Whiteside finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds to go with four blocks and many more altered shots.

Despite their inabilities on offense, the Nuggets went into the break down a manageable five points 52-47. During that first half, Denver was paced by Jameer Nelson who finished the game with 17 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. 

“Even though we had 28 assists tonight I thought we were easy to guard,” Michael Malone said following the loss. “I did not think the ball moved I don’t think bodies moved. We stood around and watched each other. That is not how we need to play.”

The second half began the same as the first, with sloppy and sluggish play on both sides of the ball. Gallinari, who finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists, continued drawing fouls to keep the Nuggets hopes alive while Nikola Jokic continued his efficient play, finishing with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.

The Nuggets turned a five-point deficit into a five-point lead at the end of the third quarter behind a 14-4 run.

After Miami went on their own 14-4 to take back the five-point lead to start the fourth quarter, the Nuggets offense started to falter while Wayne Ellington, who finished with 22 points and four steals, got red-hot and hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter alone.

The Nuggets deficit ballooned to 11 after Malone moved Faried to center as Whiteside proceeded to score four-straight points on the undersized Faried on two consecutive post-ups. Jamal Murray, who ended up with nine points, three rebounds, three assists with two blocks, hit two late three-pointers to bring the Nuggets to within five but it was not enough as the Nuggets fell to an inferior Heat team.

“They came in here ready to play and we weren’t,” Malone said. “I thought Whiteside dominated us early. He set the tone from the first quarter, give him credit and give them credit. We talked about pregame how we have been taking care of the ball of late and you have 19 turnovers and, more importantly, we gave up 28 points off those turnovers.”

FOOTNOTES

The Nuggets welcomed back Gallinari to the starting lineup after missing three games with a sore right thigh. Mike Miller also returned to the Nuggets sideline after taking time for personal reasons.

Will Barton remained out with a sprained right ankle, as was Gary Harris, who is still sidelined with a right foot injury. Darrell Arthur also missed the game due to an illness.

WHERE/WHEN

Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado | November 30, 2016 | Game No. 18

NUGGETS STAR OF THE GAME

Jokic put in one of the better individual performances of the night and his season with a double-double: 17 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists while shooting 7-11 from the field.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

Malone on where the Nuggets defense faltered:

“We just have to play better defense. I challenged our guards. One-on-one; win the battle. Contain the ball. Obviously, it is something we have to work on and I have to do a better job. We are all in this together, players and coaches, and I have to continue to do a better job with our team.”

BY THE NUMBERS

PLAYS OF THE GAME

Big block by Faried.

Nope.#Nuggets https://t.co/j61oaS5n18

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2016

Mudiay with the baseline dunk.

💪💪💪#Nuggets https://t.co/ltvu3hiKHj

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2016

Faried with the hanging layup over Whiteside.

Kenneth's got the touch.#Nuggets https://t.co/3rdKHumUs9

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2016

Nurkic with the strong put-back lay-up.

Bosnian Beastin' #Nuggets https://t.co/GPqxVel2WD

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2016

Mudiay to Faried for the alley-oop slam.

Mudiay alley.
MANIMAL OOOOOOP!!!!#Nuggets https://t.co/AdcX2EbbUf

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2016

Big three point shot from Chandler.

Cash money.#Nuggets https://t.co/9n3nh5U3G7

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2016

Mudiay and Jokic pick and roll leading to a Jokic floater.

E and Nikola know how to run that pick and roll 👌#Nuggets https://t.co/P02iwyr1Tn

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2016

WHAT’S NEXT

The Nuggets take on James Harden and the Houston Rockets on Friday at Pepsi Center before beginning a crucial six-game road trip.