Denver's Dynamic Duo Delivers Down Stretch

Nikola Jokić – A

Miami deployed as formidable an anti-Jokić defense as we’ve seen this season. Ball denial and tentative entry passing evoked memories of our time together in limbo, but the Nuggets are back to full strength. In the end, the game plan that restricted Jokić to only 19 points allowed 124 points in regulation. It didn’t stop Jokić from recording 12 assists. It didn’t even snap his streak of now 26 games shooting at least 50% from the field. He also posted yet another triple-double. Ok, maybe it wasn’t all that formidable.

Jamal Murray – B-

Murray played poorly through three quarters, the start of a script we’ve read before. Let’s set the scene: sloppy play at home leads to a close game in the clutch. Despite struggling, the ball is in Murray’s hands, and he looks confident as Jokić plods over to set the screen. You don’t need me to write the conclusion. You didn’t even need to see Friday night’s game to know what happens next.

Murray found his rhythm, and the two-man game delivered down the stretch.

https://twitter.com/VojaMedic/status/1609211595632087041?s=20&t=hTfF4Visb4SqhSa0XEtcfw

Michael Porter Jr. – C

If Porter knocks down some wide-open looks from three, this grade and the outlook on his night are much different. But it’s a miss or make league and Porter missed Friday night. To dive deeper than the most exhausted cliches, Porter’s misses lead to a withdrawal from the contest. He grew less focused, and Miami smelled blood in the water during crunch time. The Heat successfully hunted the matchup until Michael Malone eventually swapped him out for Bruce Brown.

AG – C+

AG looked rusty to start the game but settled into it before night’s end. In talking with AG this season, we’ve learned he, like so many others in the NBA, is focused on the pace and rhythm of a game. After some time off, it’s no surprise he had to recalibrate. And despite missing the beat, Denver extracted value from his mismatch potential. He slipped through the cracks of a defense focused on Jokić with timely cutting and dominated a Kyle Lowry mismatch on more than one occasion.

KCP – A+

KCP scored 20 points on an immaculate night from the field. He was 7 of 7 from the floor, 4 of 4 from deep, and 2 of 2 from the line when Denver needed every last point. He even put the finishing touch on the win by baiting a charge call. Pope is adept at selling the contact even when the call is legitimate. He was beyond clutch in a close win.

On a different note, KCP already feels like a longtime Nugget. Denver swapped out some soulful pieces of a now-defunct core for a handful of journeymen. I called them mercenaries when they wore other uniforms. We cheer for them now as the team has shed its skin and found a new identity. Some will move on shortly, but Pope has already inked an extension and ingratiated himself with the fan base. He talks and walks the part out there. One of us, if you will.

Bruce Brown – C+

Brown was an ultimately valuable player and tool in Malone’s belt against Miami. But he was also at the center of some funky defense. Denver’s coverages seemed all out of whack, and Brown’s size was ineffective in certain matchups. There were some ugly moments with him involved in the pick-and-roll defense. Still, he found a way to add value as the leading minute eater off the bench. The second unit had a great night.

Vlatko Čančar – B+

Having been nearly reduced to ashes, the last burning ember of Čansanity caught a stray gust of wind and erupted into flame once more. Čančar also enjoyed an immaculate night from the field, going 5 of 5 from the floor, 3 of 3 from deep, and 2 of 2 from the line. He also drew a charge, busted out a Statue of Liberty Dunk, and put some sauce on a dish for his buddy from the Balkans.

Gather by the fire everyone and take in the wholesome warmth of quality Vlatko minutes.

Bones Hyland – B+

Bones busted a shooting slump with a 5 of 6 performance from deep. He displayed fancy handles and footwork, watching closeouts zoom by as he danced his way to open space and let it fly. He did turn it over six times, perhaps an overcompensation as he works the playmaking back into his approach. But Denver needed his burst of scoring and energy in Ball Arena. Bones makes waves at home, and the bench rode them to victory.

DeAndre Jordan – D+

Once again, tough to watch.