Five Observations: The Nuggets are finally defending

The Denver Nuggets snapped the Golden State Warriors’ 11-game win streak with a 96-81 upset win Saturday. Denver held the NBA’s highest-scoring team to 38.6 percent shooting to complete a 2-0 road trip out West. Here are five observations from the game.

1. Denver is finally defending

Nuggets coach Michael Malone went nuclear for what felt like the dozenth time following his team’s 123-114 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 6.

“We didn’t take it personally,” Malone steamed. “They kicked our ass. It’s becoming the same story every single night. And until our guys start taking it personal, until our guys start understanding the importance of playing defense and guarding your man one-on-one, forget playoffs. That is a word we should not use with this team.”

It’s still December, so maybe only mutter “playoffs” in a hushed tone. But as for Denver’s defense? It’s been leaps and bounds better since Malone called it into question a little more than three weeks ago.

The Nuggets appear to be taking more pride in staying in front of their man. They’re doing a better job of knowing their opponent’s tendencies. And their rotations are crisper. All of that was on display against the Golden State Warriors.

This possession was a masterpiece.

Sloppy game tonight and both teams look sluggish but Denver’s competing on defense. Warriors are just 1-19 from three (they’ve missed shots they usually make too) pic.twitter.com/hgF3HkQYsI

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 24, 2017

Not all of it was Denver, of course. The Warriors missed 20 three-pointers in a row during one stretch of the game. They shot 3-27 from three-point land total. The next time either of those two things happen again, Nikola Jokic might be a 67-year-old man who owns 13 horse racing tracks in Serbia.

To be clear: There was plenty of luck involved. But Denver did a nice job. Since Malone called the Nuggets out in New Orleans for their lack of effort/focus, they’ve held opponents to less than 100 points in five of nine games. They’re giving up just 102.5 points per 100 possessions in that stretch, the third-best mark in basketball dating back to Dec. 7.

2. Nikola Jokic plays second good game in a row

Nikola Jokic is back. He was spectacular against Portland on Friday and excellent again Saturday in the Bay. He made 9-16 shots, scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds, handed out four assists and turned it over only twice in 37 minutes.

Jokic appears to be 100 percent recovered from a left ankle sprain, which sidelined him for seven games. He played limited minutes in Denver’s two games last week — 22 against the Pelicans, 25 against OKC. Then he struggled when he returned to the starting lineup vs. Minnesota, comitting 10 turnovers.

His timing just looked off then. It looks like things are clicking for him now, though.

3. Will Barton distributing

Will Barton’s scoring has fallen off a little bit in December. In 11 games this month, he’s shooting 41.0 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three. He’s cooled off after a bonkers November. To compensate for the drop-off, Barton is making more plays for others.

On Friday, he recorded a team-high seven assists. His ability to get into the paint, suck the defense to him ever so slightly and find a teammate got Denver several good open looks.

There’s nothing flashy about that drive and dish, but it resulted in a high-percentage shot.

Barton is averaging 5.4 assists in December, a full assist ahead of Gary Harris, who’s averaging 4.4 helpers since the calendar turned to 12/1.

4. Gary Harris’ contortionist act

How many NBA players are better than Gary Harris at adjusting in the air? You can probably count them on one hand.

Harris’ unique ability to evade and finish was on display vs. Golden State. In the second quarter, he somehow avoided Nick Young setting up for a charge and dropped in a double-clutch layup, despite David West hacking him.

In the fourth quarter, Harris pulled off a right-to-left switcheroo through contact. West hacked him again.

Kyrie Irving is probably the player best-known for his finishing wizardry. Some of Harris’ finishes this season have looked Kyrie-esque.

5. Huge road trip

After the Nuggets fell to the Timberwolves on Wednesday, they were staring at the very real possibility of falling below .500. They had a back-to-back in Portland, where they hadn’t won since 2013, and Golden State, which was riding an 11-game win streak.

Somehow, Denver came away with wins in both places.

“I’d have to agree (that this is one of the best back-to-backs in team history),” Malone said on Altitude TV’s post-game broadcast afterward. “Obviously, I’ve only been here 2 1/2 years. I hope to be here a long time, by the way.”

Might as well sneak that one in there after winning in Portland and Golden State. The Nuggets are 18-15 entering Tuesday’s matchup against the suddenly sinking Jazz. What a difference two days makes.