Nuggets Game Grades: Denver's offense gets back on track in Brooklyn

The Denver Nuggets, after having a day off to spend in New York City, came into Barclay’s Center with the intention of starting their first winning streak of the season in a mid-day matchup versus the Brooklyn Nets.

After trading leads with the Nets, and even falling behind by as much as 14 points, Denver turned up the intensity and demolished the Nets in the third quarter as the Nuggets outscored Brooklyn 40-21, including a 34-6 run, to take a commanding lead that would last throughout the rest of the contest as Denver improved to 3-3 on the year.

Jamal Murray: A

Murray finally saw his shot start falling from the start of the game versus the Nets. Murray hit two threes and had eight points in the opening frame and was finally taking easy shots and passing up bad shots, instead of vice versa. His hot shooting from the first half carried over into the second half and Murray put together what was easily his best performance of the season. Great game from Murray, who was 0-18 from three-point before taking on the Nets. To say his confidence is back would be an understatement.

Gary Harris: A

Harris continued to be Mr. Consistent for the Nuggets, as he has been all season, except this time Harris wasn’t just scoring, but his elite hand-quickness was on full display on defense. He was unbelievably disruptive on defense all night. Even when he wasn’t causing turnovers, his pesky defense threw the Nets off of their offensive groove for stretches. Harris continues to preemptively earn every last cent of his new four-year extension worth at least $74 million, which does not begin until the start of next season.

Wilson Chandler: B

Chandler was looking more involved in the first half against the Nets and busted out in the second half for a season-high in scoring but it is seeming more and more like Chandler will not be getting anywhere near as many offensive touches as he did his past few years in Denver. He has been able to affect the game in many other ways, especially on defense, which is the most important role that Chandler is responsible for, but he has yet to look comfortable with his fit offensively. Overall, solid game from Chandler even without scoring much.

Paul Millsap: B+

To start the game, Millsap was contributing in every single way. He was playing his typically strong defense, was setting teammates up for good looks including an assist he threw through the legs of Travis Booker, rebounding the ball, and scoring in isolation when needed. Once the second half came around, he helped the Nuggets go on a 34-6 run to take complete control of the game largely behind the gritty defensive play of Millsap. He still looks uncomfortable within the overall flow of the offense but with each additional game, Millsap is finding a rhythm little by little.

Nikola Jokic: B

Jokic continued to do a bit of everything to start the game, as very few NBA players can but got in foul trouble early after intentionally fouling in the backcourt to stop a fast break, which limited his playing time in the first half. Jokic did come into the second half looking to assert himself as he started stuffing the stat sheet but once the Nuggets started annihilating the Nets, Jokic was not needed to produce as he took a back seat offensively and allowed the rest of the roster to prosper. A quiet, but a productive game from Jokic.

Emmanuel Mudiay: A

Mudiay also came out looking terrific and firing away as he put in 10 quick points in his first four minutes of playing time and finished with 15 points on eight shots at halftime. His jump shot was falling as Mudiay helped the Nuggets bench unit, which was unable to stop the Nets offense at any point, stay afloat in the second quarter. Mudiay’s game against the Nets was one of his best in a Nuggets uniform.

Will Barton: C

Barton struggled to start as he was a part of the bench lineup that allowed the Nets to jump out to a ten-point lead early in the game. His shot wasn’t falling and his defensive energy was not nearly as high as it has been for most of this new Nuggets’ season. Thankfully, Denver did not need Barton’s energy against the Nets as they were able to secure the win but Barton needs to find more consistency in his game if he hopes to contend for the sixth man of the year award.

Mason Plumlee: C

Plumlee played well offensively to start but was getting torched on defense by whoever was matched-up against him. He was able to gobble up rebounds, score at the rim, and be a physical force in his time on the floor for the Nuggets but was an overall negative in the first half. Plumlee played better in the second half on defense but was eventually plagued by foul trouble that ultimately limited his effectiveness. Still a decent game from Plumlee.

Michael Malone: A

Malone has preached valuing the ball more than anything else throughout the young 2017-18 NBA season and against the Nets, Denver did just that. With only four turnovers by the end of the third quarter, it seems that Malone has gotten the importance of valuing possession through to his young team and for that Malone gets a perfect grade.

Brooklyn Nets: C+

The Nets deserve credit for not fading after getting blown out in the third quarter. They fought from start to finish and gave the Nuggets everything they could handle but ultimately fell short in the third quarter even though Brooklyn bested the Nuggets in two of the four quarters. Brooklyn may be short on talent but they do not lack serviceable NBA players and a resilient attitude.