The Denver Nuggets finished their seven game homestand in style as the Washington Wizards finally ran out of gas and the Denver Nuggets closed them out with a 41-17 fourth quarter onslaught, leading to a 116-100 victory and the Nuggets’ first four game win streak of the season.

Nikola Jokic was ineffective against Washington’s physical defense and Joffrey Lauvergne left the game with a facial injury (details below), so it was up to Jusuf Nurkic, playing his first extended minutes since the All-Star break, to hold it down in the paint for Denver — and boy did he do that. The win means the Nuggets can head out onto their road trip having won five of their first six games in March and completing an exciting 5-2 homestand.

When/Where

Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Pepsi Center – Denver, CO

Star of the Game

Jusuf Nurkic – The Bosnian Beast is officially back. While he was somewhat effective in 4.5 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday and very ineffective in 4.5 minutes in the first half of tonight’s game, Nurkic showed why he’s not to be forgotten when it comes to the promising young centers on the Nuggets roster.

Nurk Smash #1:

Nurk Smash #2:

Turning Point

The real turning point on the scoreboard wouldn’t happen for a few more minutes, and Jusuf Nurkic had shown signs of asserting himself in the paint late in the 3rd quarter, but when the Bosnian Beast sent JJ Hickson’s dunk attempt back to sender on the first possession of the 4th quarter, it was a clear message that the final period belonged to Nurk and the Nuggets.

Note: Nurkic banged his left knee late in the game on an and-1 layup finish and was on the training table post-game. The injury is not said to be serious and head coach Michael Malone thought Juka would be fine.

Big Bench Boost

The Nuggets bench outscored their counterparts on the Wizards 75-34 and even outscored their counterparts in the starting lineup 75-41. Nurkic, D.J. Augustin and Darrell Arthur dropped 17 points each while Will Barton added 14 and Axel Toupane showed off a nice shooting touch again with 8 points in his 19 minutes.

The starters made some plays early, but were entirely ineffective as the Wizards built a double-digit lead in the 3rd quarter, so it took a monumental effort by the bench to turn this game completely around. Will Barton pushed the pace and Nurkic absolutely owned the paint on both ends down the stretch leading the Nuggets to a surprising blowout win.

Otto-matic and the 3rd Quarter Blues

In what has become an alarming trend despite the recent wins, the Nuggets once again came out sluggish to start the second half. Otto Porter took full advantage, at one point getting consecutive And-1 opportunities and leading the Wizards to a double digit lead in the 3rd quarter.

Nene and J.J. Hickson started to bully the Nuggets in the paint and the Wizards took an 8-point lead into the final stanza on the strength of a 33-23 advantage in the third. The starters need to find a way to come out strong in the second half as comebacks like tonight’s aren’t likely to happen very often (especially with the Wizards on the second night of the dreaded Utah-Denver road back-to-back).

Terrible Turnovers

If it weren’t for Jokic and Kenneth Faried dominating the glass in the first half to the tune of a 29-20 rebounding advantage, turnovers would have doomed the Nuggets early in this one. Nine in the first quarter and seven more in the second led to 18 Wizards points. Denver had been taking care of the basketball well in March, a large reason for the success, so they are lucky to come away with a win in a game where they turned the ball over 21 times (16 in the first half, just five in the second half). To the Nuggets’ credit defensively, they would close the gap by the end of the game forcing the Wizards into 19 of their own turnovers.

Play of the Game

The high five at the end is what makes it great:

Non-Nurkic Plays of the Game

Jokic and Gary Harris combine for a pretty play that showcases the Joker’s passing, Gary’s hustle and movement and both of their incredible basketball IQs:

Darrell Arthur’s shooting was huge down the stretch, but he showed some athleticism off on this play in the first half:

Gary Harris with his nightly steal and one man fastbreak:

Emmanuel Mudiay to the Manimal on a beautiful oop at the end of the 2nd:

By the Numbers

Jusuf Nurkic First Half: 4.5 minutes, 0 points, 0-1 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls

Jusuf Nurkic Second Half: 13.5 minutes, 17 points (ties his career high), 5-7 shooting, 7-9 FTs, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks and most incredibly, 0 fouls and 0 turnovers.

Quote of the First Half

Nuggets have more turnovers (16) than 30 of the Wizards’ opponents this season.

Yet lead 52-50 at half. Dominating boards, 53.7 FG%

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 13, 2016

Quote of the Second Half

The battle vs. J.J. Hickson awoke something in Nurkic. Once again, J.J. Hickson becomes the savior.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) March 13, 2016

Lasting Impact

The schedule gets tough for the Nuggets now as they head out on the road for their next five and nine of their next 11 games. The Dallas Mavericks are sitting in the eighth playoff spot with a 33-33 record, so sitting five games back means the playoffs are still very unlikely despite the recent success, but it’s great to see how a different young player steps up each night for this team and how far they’ve come from the beginning of the season.

Joffrey’s injury (details below) is disappointing, but it will free up minutes for Nurkic to follow up his incredible effort tonight, so hopefully it turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

Axel Toupane’s first 10-day contract expires after tonight’s game and I’d be very surprised if the Nuggets don’t lock him in for an additional 10 as he’s been a poor man’s Gary Harris off the bench for Denver and helps solidify the bench defensively. Michael Malone said after the game that he’ll have to talk with GM Tim Connelly and push for a second 10-day. 

Joffrey Lauvergne with a R zygomatic contusion w/ laceration — received stitches. X-rays inconclusive, will get CT scan to rule out fracture

— Nate Timmons (@NateTimmonsBSN) March 13, 2016

Up Next

Monday, March 14 at Miami Heat, 5:30 p.m. MST