Nuggets-Clippers Grades: Clipped in LA

The Denver Nuggets win streak came to a grinding halt in Los Angeles, where the Clippers beat them down inside for a decisive 132-111 win.

We grade every performance from the Nuggets with our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR), which take into account 12 different statistical factors.

Note: for DPRs that are lacking context, our beat reporters are offering their scout’s grade.

Nikola Jokic (C+) 61.87 — Jokic had one of the Nuggets’ strongest performances despite only playing 20 minutes, as he was ejected for showing up the refs. Even then, he put up an impressive 19 points and six rebounds in limited time. Still, he was sloppy with the ball with four turnovers to only three assists for a high 19-percent TOV%. The Nuggets’ offense was lost without him and his defense was part of the issue resulting in a 132 DRtg, easily his worst of the season.

Scout’s Grade (B+) — Jokic dominated Marcin Gortat before his third-quarter ejection. If he played the rest of the game, Denver might have gotten a hard-fought victory. But when Jokic left the court and hit the showers, he took whatever chances the Nuggets had at a win with him.

Jamal Murray (C) 57.80 — Murray led all Denver players in minutes with 31 but had little to show for it making one of six attempts from beyond the arc and going 6-of-16 from the field for 18 points. The Clippers’ gritty guards gave him issues and fellow ex-Kentucky floor general Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thoroughly outplayed him.

Torrey Craig (D+) 47.48 — In 26 minutes, Craig was at least a valuable contributor on the boards pulling down five rebounds, three of which came on the offensive glass. Los Angeles outrebounded the Nuggets 56-37 in the game. Craig struggled defensively as the versatile bunch of forwards for the Clippers had their way leading to Danilo Gallinari, Tobias Harris, and Montezl Harrell all going off for over 20 points. His workmanlike effort wasn’t enough to overcome the big deficit.

Juancho Hernangomez (D+) 46.54 — Juancho has been on a bit of a slump in the past three games and his -8 showing in LA marked his worst of that stretch as he got thoroughly outplayed by the Clippers forward rotation. Hernangomez struggled to score with a below 45 percent eFG% and could only muster three rebounds in 23 minutes, which really hurt Denver.

Mason Plumlee (D+) 49.68 — Plumlee’s been huge for Denver since being inserted into the starting lineup but got exposed in this one with a -17 plus-minus. His impact guarding the rim was sorely lacking as LA got to the rim at will throwing down vicious dunks regularly. He did add nine rebounds, a team-high, but his impact offensively was sorely lacking with three turnovers and only eight points on a rough 37 percent eFG%. His grade was salvaged a bit by a 126 DRtg, normally a terrible figure, but not as bad as most of his teammates. It was that kind of night.

Scout’s Grade (B-) — You can’t really knock Plumlee for his defensive performance in this one. Over the last two weeks, he’s matched up against Kawhi Leonard, Harrison Barnes and now Gallinari because of Denver’s injuries. He’s worked his butt off in all three games.

Monte Morris (C+) 61.71 — Morris’ team-low -19 hurt his grade tremendously, though he was one of the only valuable scorers on the team with 15 points off of 75 percent TS%. The backup point added five assists to only one turnover for an impressive 147 ORtg. He was exposed defensively with a 135 DRtg but at least made an impact on one side of the court.

Scout’s Grade (A) — I’m not really worried about Morris’ plus-minus here, he played a solid all-around game when most of his teammates struggled. Morris was 6-9 from the field and had five assists to one turnover. He played winning basketball and was arguably the Nuggets’ best player Saturday afternoon.

Malik Beasley (C-) 52.66 — Beasly was far from lights out but made a few valuable contributions including five steals while scoring 11 points in 28 minutes for a -8 plus-minus. Those 11 points came off of a 35 percent eFG% as Beasly went 0-for-3 from three-point land. His 119 DRtg wasn’t even one of the worst five he’s had in the past 10 games.

Trey Lyles (C) 56.04 — Lyles managed to score 13 points in 17 minutes off an efficient 69 percent TS% resulting in a 142 ORtg. Scoring aside, Lyles’ didn’t add much on the boards and ended the game with a -14 plus-minus, his DRtg of 134 was far from impressive as well.

Scout’s Grade (A-) — Quietly, Lyles is finding his rhythm on the offensive end of the floor. He’s scored in double-figures in Denver’s last two games, which the Nuggets desperately need without three starters. He’s emerging. Slowly but surely.

Thomas Welsh (C-) 54.33 — Welsh appeared in garbage time with the game already out of hand but was at least solid. In nine minutes he scored eight points for a +3 plus-minus. His inability to get any rebounds was concerning and added to a troublesome 140 DRtg.

Scout’s Grade (B+) — Tip of the hat to Welsh, who knocked down two threes in front of his hometown fans. He’s likely heading back to the G League soon but it was good for Denver to get him some run at the end of this one.

Nick Young (F) 29.52 — Young had an ugly evening off a 0-percent TS% in 13 minutes for just a 15 ORtg.