Nuggets-Rockets Grades: Denver goes down in H-Town

The Rockets topped the Nuggets 125-113 in convincing fashion Monday in Houston behind an MVP-effort from James Harden.

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 (B) 70.82 — Jokic led all Nuggets scorers with 24 points on 57 percent eFG%, dominating the offensive boards early and showing a nice stroke from the field. His eight turnovers to only four assists killed his grade, resulting in a 28 percent TOV%, his highest since early November. Jokic was easily the best player for Denver on the court but he just wasn’t efficient enough despite a 41.7 USG%. His 94 ORtg was his seventh lowest of the year and his -22 was second only to Jamal Murray.

Jamal Murray (D+) 48.39 — Maybe part of the key to matching up with the Rockets is someone like Murray finding ways to match James Harden’s scoring outputs. That didn’t happen on Monday night as the Nuggets’ point guard made 38 percent of his shots, per eFG%, on his way to 13 points. Murray had the lowest plus-minus of the game and struggled when asked to guard Harden on the perimeter. He finished the game with a 131 DRtg. His three turnovers and three fouls didn’t help his grade either in his fourth-worst DPR of the season.

Paul Millsap (D+) 46.65 — In his return to the starting lineup, Millsap didn’t quite have his A-game as Houston’s unique frontcourt gave him issues resulting in a 127 DRtg—tied for his worst of the season. Despite a low scoring output and lackluster shooting percentages, Millsap actually scored a 122 ORtg, much better than expected, but disappointed otherwise in a -14 night in 22 minutes.

Gary Harris (C) 56.03 — Harris also returned to the starting lineup and received one of only four passing grades on the night. His 14 points came on 54 percent TS% resulting in a 132 ORtg, one of the best from a Nugget, but he too struggled on the defensive end with a 131 DRtg. Outside of his scoring, he only had two assists and four boards which hurt him in a -12 outing. Harris was also injured limiting his impact.

Torrey Craig (D) 41.61 — Craig was given the tough task of defending Harden and struggled tremendously with a 132 DRtg. His shooting stroke was non-existent on a night where he shot 16 percent per eFG%. His best contribution came on the boards where he pulled down five offensive rebounds but did little else in 26 minutes of -17 basketball.

Juancho Hernangomez (D+) 48.23 — Juancho has scored 32 points in the last six games since going off for 27 against the San Antonio Spurs. Millsap’s return to the floor in the last five hasn’t helped but more is going on with the versatile forward than simply having his minutes cut, as he’s just struggled to find his stroke. That continued in Texas where he made one of five attempts and only added five boards, three assists, and a block in 20 minutes. He did post a plus-seven but did little else on the positive side.

Mason Plumlee (C) 57.48 — Plumlee garnered himself a passing grade in 15 minutes, scoring six points and pulling down three boards. His grade was salvaged by 100 percent eFG% in a matchup that did not suit his skills.

Monte Morris (B+) 74.60 — Morris got hot in the second quarter bringing a much-needed scoring spark and getting out of his recent funk all at the same time. He ended up scoring 21 points in 24 minutes while adding five dimes and two steals, all coming on 75 percent TS%. The advanced stats loved his efficient outing as he once again didn’t turn the ball over despite a fairly high 23.5 USG%.

Malik Beasley (C) 59.48 — Beasley had a solid night in 26 minutes, contributing 14 points on a 63 percent eFG%. Defensively he wasn’t able to do much and he only made two of his seven attempts from beyond the arc, but he was a positive contributor in a rough loss.