Nuggets-Timberwolves Grades: Malik Beasley stays hot in Minnesota

The Denver Nuggets pulled out a thrilling 107-106 road win over the Timberwolves on the tail end of a back-to-back Saturday in Minnesota.

We grade every performance from the Nuggets with our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR), which takes 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-) 69.17 — Of Jokic’s nine triple-doubles this season, his latest was easily his lowest per DPR, due to only 13 points on 30 a percent eFG%. It was also Jokc’s lowest ORtg since early January when the Nuggets fell to the Houston Rockets. But that’s shouldn’t take anything away from the Joker’s performance. He pulled down eight offensive rebounds (16 total) and added 10 assists — some of which were full-court dimes that would make most Broncos quarterbacks jealous. It was just another day at the office for Denver’s All-Star who has been on a tear all season. He’s averaging an otherworldly 75.60 DPR on the season.

Scout’s Grade (A-) — Could Jokic have scored 30 points in Minnesota? Sure, just like he could score 30 every night if he wanted to. But what makes Jokic special, and what’s helped lead Denver to the success its had this season, is that Jokic won’t force his offense if he’s not in a rhythm, and he’ll pass up a good shot for himself, for a great shot for a teammate. He dominated Saturday’s game while only shooting 4-13 from the field.

Paul Millsap (F) 33.30 — This marked Millsap’s worst DPR of the year in a game in which he went scoreless in 21 minutes and was a -2 plus-minus. Millsap did the dirty work taking on Karl-Anthony Towns and allowing Jokic to guard Taj Gibson, but statistically, he just had an ugly outing.

Scout’s Grade (D) — Was this an ‘F’ performance from Millsap? That seems a bit harsh. But Millsap wasn’t great in Minnesota. He didn’t provide much resistance to Towns, who finished with 31 points on 12-19 shooting and couldn’t find any rhythm on offense. Denver will need more from him moving forward.

Malik Beasley (B-) 67.25 — Beasley’s been on a tear in his last six games averaging a 71.24 DPR, a full 13 points higher than his season average. His 22 points on 57 percent shooting from beyond the arc were huge for the Nuggets. Beasley also posted an impressive 78 percent eFG%, shooting it confidently across 29 minutes. Even if Beasley’s 114 DRtg wasn’t outstanding, he did add two steals and two boards. His game was lacking outside of his scoring but his efficient 22 points were crucial in Denver pulling off the one-point win.

Scout’s Grade (A) — Bealsey is averaging 24 points over his last four games. He’s scored 97 points in his last 123 minutes on the floor. Over those four games, Beasley is shooting a combined 16-31 from three. Is that good? He’s helped the Nuggets forget that they’re playing without Gary Harris.

Monte Morris (B+) 74.22 — Morris finished a game-high +15 in a fantastic outing where he sported a double-double and fell three rebounds short of a triple-double. He played like a true floor general in a game-high 41 minutes, only turning the ball over once and he dished out 10 assists. Morris also registered a 61 percent TS%. It was a huge game from the Nuggets’ backup point guard, who’s stepped into the starting lineup with Jamal Murray out. Morris has worked his way out of an early-January funk and is averaging a 68.76 DPR over the last eight games.

Scout’s Grade (A) — Remember when some were worried about Morris’ jumper? He’s shooting 44 percent from three this season. He’s also one of the most lethal catch-and-shoot threats in the league. Morris might be the best backup point guard in the league and could start for a handful of teams in the league.

Will Barton (C+) 61.27 — Despite a -9 plus-minus and uninspiring figures from his defensive and offensive ratings, Barton was a solid contributor who earned a passing grade by scoring 20 points on a 53-percent TS%, adding three boards and an assist in 31 minutes. While his impact was limited beyond his scoring, his 20 points from the perimeter were huge in a game where the Nugs didn’t have their starting backcourt. His lack of turnovers despite his second-highest USG% of the season—29 percent—also went a long way in his passing grade.

Torrey Craig (D+) 48.68 — After a phenomenal performance against the Rockets on the first game of the back-to-backs, Craig fell back to earth with a four-point outing in 28 minutes and a -1 plus-minus. He did add two blocks and five boards with an assist, but that wasn’t enough as his 114 DRtg wasn’t anything special.

Mason Plumlee (C-) 50.13 — Plumlee, like Millsap, had the unenviable task of having to defend KAT which considering his 112 DRtg, he did an admirable job of. Statistically, the rest of his game wasn’t extraordinary as he scored four points in 26 minutes. Where he left his mark was with five boards, another five assists, and three blocks.

Juancho Hernangomez (C+) 60.44 — Juancho hadn’t scored a DPR this high since back in mid-January against the Chicago Bulls, a welcomed sight for the Spaniard whose production had dropped off drastically of late. Denver’s forward was a big spark plug off the bench providing eight points and two blocks in 16 minutes. He was a +8  in 16 minutes and his 153 ORtg was huge in helping his grade. He was also efficient from the floor sporting an 80 percent EFG%.

Trey Lyles (B) 71.04 — Lyles hadn’t had a game like this in a long while, as his outing against the T-Wolves marked his third best game of the year, per our metric. His 19 points in 20 minutes were huge in a +4 game where he added six boards. Lyles registered an efficient 73-percent eFG% with a 144 ORtg — his fifth-best mark of the season. When Lyles, Morris, and Beasley are contributing at a high level, this Nuggets team is hard to beat.