Nuggets game day: Denver visits Chicago desperate for a win

Nuggets coach Michael Malone took the high road after another crippling defeat Monday night, this time on South Beach against the Miami Heat where Denver fell in double-overtime 149-141. The loss dropped the Nuggets to 38-33 on the season and 11-23 away from Pepsi Center.

“The only stat I care about is I’m proud of the way we competed. I’m proud of the way we executed I’m proud of the fact that we gave ourselves a chance,” Malone said via Altitude TV’s broadcast. “…I’m walking out of here, our team is walking out of here tonight with our heads held high because of the energy, the effort and the way we competed tonight.”

Malone was pleased with Denver’s fight in Miami 48 hours after he called Denver’s defensive effort against the Grizzlies “inexcusable.” The Nuggets were able to hang with the playoff-bound Heat for four quarters and two overtime periods.

But the time for moral victories is over. With just 11 games remaining in the regular season, Denver’s playoff hopes are slim. The Nuggets (38-33) enter Wednesday’s matchup (6 p.m. TV: Altitude) against the Chicago Bulls (24-46) 2 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In Denver and Chicago’s first meeting this season, Will Barton’s game-winning layup with 3.2 seconds remaining lifted the Nuggets to a 111-110 win. Barton had a career-high 37 points in the victory.

The Bulls were officially eliminated from playoff contention Monday and their key players have been sidelined with a slew of injuries. Zach LaVine (knee tendinitis) has missed Chicago’s last two games and his status, along with Lauri Markkanen (back spasms), is up in the air for Wednesday’s tilt. Markkanen has missed the Bulls’ last four matchups. Kris Dunn (toe) has already been ruled out.

After surrendering 149 points in Monday’s double-overtime loss to Miami, Denver will look to get its defense on track against the Bulls’ 28th-ranked offense. The Heat shot 55 percent from the field and converted on 20 of their 36 attempts from three. The Nuggets haven’t held an opponent under 100 points since their Jan. 27 win over the Mavericks when Denver limited Dallas to 89 points in a two-point win.

In its 110-92 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday, Chicago shot just 36 percent from the field and 3-30 from three-point range.

Gary Harris (right knee sprain/strain) will miss his third consecutive game. Denver hopes that Harris can return at some point on its current seven-game road trip which runs through the end of the month. Will Barton is expected to continue to start in Harris’ place.

Barton scored 22 points on 8-21 shooting in Miami. Nikola Jokic led Denver with 34 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Wilson Chandler chipped in 26 points on an efficient 11-17 shooting.

Nuggets Projected Starters

Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Wilson Chandler, Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokic

Bulls Projected Starters

Justin Holiday, Cameron Payne, Denzel Valentine, Paul Zipser, Cristiano Felicio