Nuggets-Lakers Grades: Spanking the no-show Lakers

The Denver Nuggets steamrolled the Los Angeles Lakers 117-85, outscoring LA in the second half by 24 points, allowing Denver to get everyone on the bench involved as well. Here’s how each Nugget fared.

We grade every performance from the Nuggets with our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR) grades, which take into account 12 different statistical factors. For DPR grades that seem to lack context, our beat reporters who cover the team every day are offering their scouts grade.

Nikola Jokic (B) 70.72 — In just 23 minutes, what carried Jokic’s grade was an outstanding 82 DRtg his second best of the season. The Joker also had an efficient shooting night posting a 42-percent eFG% off a 33-percent usage rate, all while posting his typical seven board, seven assists, and 14 points on a +14 night.

Jamal Murray (B-) 66.71 — Murray’s 20 point game came off a fairly efficient clip, shooting 50-percent per eFG% and producing a +17. Only Malik Beasly played more minutes, as Murray handled the scoring load and managed to troll the Lakers with his hand wave to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after pump-faking him on an easy fast-break layup.

Paul Millsap (B+) 75.93 — Millsap tied Murray and Beasly with 20 points to lead all Denver scorers, with 11 boards and an outstanding 80 DRtg, despite having the tough assignment of guarding guys like LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram. This marked only the fourth double-double Millsap’s had all season and his third-best DPR of the year.

Juancho Hernangomez (B-) 65.51 — Juancho is now averaging a 61.92 DPR since being inserted into the starting lineup—for reference, that would’ve been better than any Nugget not named Jokic last season and 15th among the NBA’s best wings. He did it all in just 23 minutes shooting an absurd 78-percent eFG% which led to his fourth-best ORtg of the year, 178. He posterized JaVale McGee too which was a nice cherry on top in a fine offensive performance.

Torrey Craig (C-) 52.99 — Craig’s grade was really carried by a +19 plus-minus in almost as many minutes, which led all starters, as he once again had a big rebounding game with eight boards in 20 minutes. With no turnovers, his ORtg was his fourth-highest of the season despite only scoring two points and Craig’s DRtg was outstanding too. Conventional stats lowered his grade but his presence was certainly felt on the wing.

Scouts grade: Craig’s C- grade is low for his performance against the Lakers. Craig was able to hold James to just 15 points on 5-10 shooting. Statistically, he’s the best offensive rebounder for his position in the league.

Monte Morris (C+) 63.29 — Seven assists, zero turnovers, in a +20 night, need we say more? Morris might not have shot it great with a 28-percent eFG% but he was his usual ultra-efficient floor general self and had a season-best 90 DRtg.

Scouts grade: This was another outstanding game from Morris, despite what his DPR says. His ability to run the Nuggets’ second unit, which has been one of the top second-units in the league this season, was again on display Tuesday. He’s been one of Denver’s most valuable players this season, and was again versus L.A.

Mason Plumlee (B-) 66.67 — Plumlee recorded his second double-double of the year both coming in his last two home games. The NBA’s best backup center was 5-of-7 from the field as he too had a season-best 82 DRtg and his third-best ORtg thanks to that efficient shooting.

Scouts grade: Plumlee’s had another outstanding game against the Lakers. Right now, he’s only been averaging around 20 minutes, but he’s playing near perfect basketball when on the floor. He did that again Tuesday, hitting double digits for a third-straight game. He also tallied five of Denver’s 16 offensive rebounds and was a big force on the glass all night. It was another A-level performance from Plumlee.

Trey Lyles (C-) 54.13 — Lyles’ shot wasn’t falling but he still had a +21 in the game with nine boards and an outstanding 89 DRtg—a season-best. His GmSc was in the negative, which hurt his final grade as he only scored five points on 25-percent eFG%.

Malik Beasley (B+) 75.45 — This was Beasly’s best game of the year by a long shot as he outproduced his previous best outing by a full seven points per DPR—that’s two letter grades better, folks. His 16.6 GmSc was also a season-best with his 88 DRtg being his second best of the year—his best coming back on October 20th in a blowout of the Phoneix Suns. His 20 points came off of 64-percent eFG% in 35 minutes of turnover-free basketball, as he could do no wrong in this one.

Scouts grade: There’s not much else Beasley could have done to raise his DPR score against the Lakers. He was stellar in a season-high 36 minutes and is knocking down the three with as much consistency as he’s ever shown in a Nuggets uniform. He chipped in on the defensive end of the floor with two steals as well. It was an A-level performance from Denver’s backup shooting guard.