Upgrade Your Fandom

Join the Ultimate DNVR Sports Community!

Grades: Denver Nuggets still streaking after sloppy win over Spurs

Brendan Vogt Avatar
April 10, 2021

The Denver Nuggets have won eight games in a row. They took sole possession of the longest current winning streak in the NBA and longest winning streak in the Malone era with a 121-119 win over the San Antonio Spurs Friday night. The Spurs showed resilience. Denver kicked it into their new S gear and pressed their foot on the gas in the first half, but the Spurs never rolled over even as the lead ballooned to 18. Once the Spurs fought back, the Nuggets took little interest in sending a message. A flurry of turnovers and generally sloppy play from Denver left the door open for a monster comeback, and San Antonio nearly obliged. But in the end, Michael Porter Jr. — after going 1 of 2 from the line — made a game-saving effort when contesting Keldon Johnson at the rim. Still streaking, baby.

Nikola Jokić looked remarkable, MPJ played Robin to Jokić’s Batman, and JaVale McGee turned in some solid minutes off the bench.

Let’s go to the grades:

Nikola Jokić – A+

Nikola Jokić just posted 14 assists from the center position, and it’s a game we’ll likely forget. Fourteen assists are his third-highest mark — not of his career, but this season alone. He also added 13 rebounds (5 OREB) and 26 points on 9/17 shooting. The Spurs didn’t know what to with him. They experimented with late help from different angles, but nothing slipped past Jokić’s spider-sense. At just the right moment, Jokić picked up his dribble, evaded the swipe, and found an open shooter — time and time again. The Spurs outscored the Nuggets in the fourth, but Denver got just enough from Jokić to seal the deal. He scored six points and dished out three assists in 7:40 of the final frame.

Another triple-double. Just another day at the office for the most valuable player in basketball.

 

Michael Porter Jr. – B+

Porter fell a little too in love with the rim protection Friday night. The Spurs beat him off the dribble and flipped in layups beyond his outstretched arms on numerous occasions. Sometimes he just got beat, but sometimes, it looked like he might have been willing to give up position for the sake of blocking the shot from behind. It’s a symptom of good thought — to be aggressive and deter attempts at the rim. Nonetheless, it got him in some mild trouble on the defensive end. Keep those feet moving.

Offensively, Porter filled the Robin role in Jamal Murray’s stead. He finished with 26 points and shot over 50% from the field yet again. And he did so despite shooting just 2/7 from deep. So much changed for Porter when he learned how to feast on easy points around the rim. He’s not just a jump shooter.

Porter went 1 of 2 from the line in the final seconds. He could have pushed the lead to three, but instead, he handed the Spurs a fast break down just two. Keldon Johnson drove nearly the floor’s length, but Porter was there every step of the way and met him at the top. The Spurs missed two frantic putback attempts, and Porter got the job done in the end.

Aaron Gordon – C+

Gordon played a little more loosely than he has to date in a Nuggets uniform. With a big lead in the first half, he took some liberties. That’s to say Gordon took some gnarly shots. In the end, though, he capped himself at 11 total field goals and hit five of them. He turned in some good moments defensively, but it was hardly a lockdown performance.

Will Barton III – B

Barton was on the floor for some unfortunate stretches, but I see little reason to pin them on him. He took only 11 shots as well and also knocked down six. He shot 2/4 from deep and 2/2 from the line (the free throws were clutch) on his way to 17 points and 5 assists. His defense came and went — strong at times and porous at others.

Monte Morris – A- 

The Denver Nuggets don’t win this game without an honor roll performance from ‘Mr. Nugget’. Morris slipped in an uncontested layup near the first quarter’s end — the only un-assisted bucket of Denver’s frame. Known for his floor generalship, Morris’s newfound proficiency in creating his shot is slightly ironic. They needed that from him Friday night, and he provided it. He shot 7/8 from the field for 21 points, including 5/5 from deep. He grabbed three rebounds and two assists as well. In Monte we Trust.

Facundo Campazzo – C

If you break down some of Campazzo’s better moments and contributions, it might leave you with a positive impression. But the reality is the Spurs had far too easy a time scoring on the Nuggets with him on the floor — with he and Jokić on the floor together particularly.

The Spurs have long and quick guards. The Nuggets lack rim protection with Jokić on the floor. It wasn’t a great match.

PJ Dozier – B+

Dozier played really well Friday night. His defense was strong, and his offense contained. He knew why he was on the floor and how to help the Nuggets win.

Paul Millsap – C-

Millsap’s line is unimpressive. He didn’t play particularly well. The Nuggets did find success for stretches with him on the floor, however.

JaVale McGee – B-

McGee grabbed eight rebounds, scored four points, and blocked a shot in 9:36 on the floor. He gave Denver’s bench a new dimension on both ends of the court. He also deterred some layups just by standing there. The Nuggets don’t have another player like McGee. That pickup is beginning to bear fruit.

Game Notes: Jamal Murray missed a third straight game with right knee soreness. JaMychal Green was available but finished with a DNP-CD as Malone continues to tinker with his bigs off the bench. New two-way signing Shaquille Harrison is not yet with the team.

Scroll to next article

Don't like ads?
Don't like ads?
Don't like ads?