Nuggets-Bulls Grades: All aboard the Millsap Express

The Denver Nuggets got their first win of a season-long seven-game road trip Wednesday in Chicago over the Bulls 135-102. Seven Nuggets players reached double figures in scoring and Denver broke the 100 point barrier midway through the third quarter against the tanking Bulls.

Here’s how every Nuggets played fared in their win over the Bulls.

*Our game grades are dictated by our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR), which take into account 12 different statistical factors.

Jamal Murray (B) 70.16 – Murray is shooting just 40.8 percent from the field in March — his lowest mark in five months — and as every Nuggets’ starter shot an efficient percentage from the field against the Bulls, Murray went only 5-14 in 29 minutes.

Will Barton (B) 73.97 — Denver’s sixth man turned starter needed a night like this. After struggling with his three-point shot so far this month, Barton converted on two of his three long-range bombs and finished with 16 points on just 7-9 shooting.

Wilson Chandler (B+) 79.13 — If the Nuggets go on to make the playoffs, Chandler’s post-All-Star break surge will be one of the reason’s why. A more aggressive Chandler who’s confident in his jumper helps unlock Denver’s offense. Chandler shot 5-7 from three in Chicago and lifted his three-point percentage to 36.1 percent this year. He finished with 19 points on 6-9 shooting.

Paul Millsap (A) 85.28 — From a pure numbers standpoint, this was Millsap’s best game since he returned from injury. His shot was pure and he found his touch around the rim. Millsap finished with 22 points on 8-9 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals.

Nikola Jokic (B+) 77.58 — He was lifted from the game after only 24 minutes but Jokic set the tone in Wednesday’s win. He hit his first seven shots from the field and tallied 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Devin Harris (B-) 68.60 — The veteran has quietly put together a few positive outings. Harris is shooting 40.5 percent from three in March after initially struggling with his shot after the trade.

Trey Lyles (C) 55.16 — Lyles, who’s been Denver’s casualty in its rotation after Millsap returned to the lineup, played 19 minutes after receiving a DNP-CD in Miami. He scored 10 points to go with six rebounds. Expect his minutes to continue to fluctuate.

Mason Plumlee (C-) 53.70 — Plumlee chipped in four points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in Chicago. He’s shooting a pristine 67.4 percent from the field this month.

Torrey Craig (C-) 50.23 / Malik Beasley (D) 42.23 — Both Craig and Beasley’s nights will be remembered for an unfortunate sequence in the fourth quarter that’s sure to show up on Shaqtin’ a Fool Thursday night.  Craig and Beasley both deserve their fair share of blame for this gaffe.