MILWAUKEE — The Denver Nuggets are 8-3 in their last 11 games. Over that span, Denver is fielding the league’s fourth-best offense but 27th-best defense.
A win is a win in the NBA and the Nuggets have 31 of them this season — good for the seventh seed in a crowded Western Conference playoff picture. With a depleted rotation due to injuries to two front court players in Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee, Nuggets coach Michael Malone can’t wait until this weekend’s All-Star break gets underway.
“It couldn’t come at a better time,” Malone said. “Our guys are beat up mentally and physically, as is every other NBA team.”
But Malone’s starting point guard Jamal Murray just wants to keep playing.
“We know it’s the All-Star break,” Murray said after Denver’s 117-109 win over the Spurs on Tuesday. “I don’t need a break, but everybody else is gonna have a break and is looking forward to it.”
Murray stood at his locker following the Nuggets’ win over the Spurs after logging 38 minutes while battling through chest soreness that didn’t allow him to breathe normally. Murray struggled during his warmup and labored through Denver’s victory against San Antonio.
“I looked at him first three minutes, and he was really struggling to breathe,” Malone said. “Timeout was called to give him a chance to get his breath back, and I thought he was fantastic considering the fact he didn’t practice, didn’t go through shootaround, hasn’t been able to really sleep.”
The soreness Murray’s feeling won’t keep him from playing Thursday against the Bucks, although he’s still listed on the Nuggets’ official injury report. The pain, which Murray said affects him when he sleeps, eats and drives, also won’t stop him from suiting up Friday in the Rising Stars Challenge — a game where Murray took home Most Valuable Player Honors last year with a 36-point, 11-assist effort.
“I’m playing,” Murray said regarding Friday’s exhibition. “I’ve missed one game since high school. I don’t care if I cant breath. I’m playing.”
Before Murray represents Team World in Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge, Denver (31-26) faces the Milwaukee Bucks (32-24) at 6:00 pm MT (ALT) and All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks have won eight of their past 10 and five of their past six.
Like Denver, Milwaukee is clicking on all cylinders. Over its past 10 games, the Bucks are the league’s 18th-best offense but top-rated defense. Milwaukee is surrendering just 95 points per game over its past 10 contests.
Antetokoumpo’s averaging 25.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in his past 10 games. His offensive numbers — along with Kris Middleton, who’s scoring 18.2 points per game over his past 10 — are down from his season averages, but Milwaukee is winning games on defense.
The Bucks’ stingy defense meets the Nuggets’ prolific offense Thursday night.
“We have a good rhythm right now,” Malone said. “I think we’re 8-3 now in our last 11 games. Let’s not check out mentally until after the games. These games going into the break are always the tough ones because guys are thinking about that Mai Tai on the beach they’re going to be drinking. Let’s handle our business. This is a business trip. Take care of business then we can get some well-needed rest and some R&R.”
Nuggets Projected Starters
Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton, Wilson Chandler, Nikola Jokic
Bucks Projected Starters
Eric Bledsoe, Tony Snell, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker
