The Denver Nuggets had their backs against the wall in Sacramento down 13 points at the half but clawed back to beat the Kings 117-113.
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 (A-) 83.78 — Jokic surpassed 80 DPR for the second time in as many games in a wildly efficient 26-point scoring night on 65 percent eFG%, all while adding 13 boards and six assists in 32 minutes. His 32 percent USG%, 22.6 GmSc, and +12 plus-minus all raised his grade significantly. He did turn the ball over five times which lowered his rating but had an outstanding game none the less.
Jamal Murray (A-) 84.09 — After a slow first half, Murray took off transforming into Denver’s closer in the road win with 34 of his 36 points coming in the second half. His DPR is his third best of the season as he somehow bounced back to register a 62 percent eFG% while adding seven boards and six assists. His game elevated to another level in the second half as he drove to the hoop, hit open jumpers, and created off the bounce. His four turnovers hurt his grade in an otherwise special performance.
Torrey Craig (D+) 45.07 — Craig played 29 minutes for a +7 plus-minus—fourth best on the team. However, his impact wasn’t felt much, at least statistically, outside of that figure in a high-scoring game where his 122 DRtg was nothing special. Scoring two points while shooting 20 percent from the field didn’t help much but his presence on the floor still helped the starting lineup claw their way back to get the win.
Juancho Hernangomez (C+) 64.38 — Juancho’s 16 minutes on the court marked his second-lowest total of the season and by far the lowest since the fourth game in early November. Despite the limited playing time, he still was a valuable contributor scoring five points while shooting a perfect 2-for-2 from the field and making his lone free throw attempt. More impressive were his five rebounds for a 27.5 DRB%, his fourth-highest mark of the season. He added two assists and was +3 on the night.
Mason Plumlee (B-) 67.47 — Plumlee hasn’t hit this high a mark per DPR all year aside from his double-double against the Orlando Magic in late November. He once again had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards, five of which came on the offensive glass. He also added four assists, a steal, and a block, for a +12 in a crucial contribution to the Nuggets win. Plumlee’s 97 DRtg was easily the best on the team as he made 71 percent of his shots from the field.
Paul Millsap (C+) 59.97 — Millsap’s clearly still working his way back into form, though he was the only bench player for Denver to not go in the negative with a +2 plus-minus in 22 minutes. Millsap managed to score 10 points off of an impressive 64 percent TS%, he added six boards and had a decent performance per the advanced metrics in an efficient outing.
Gary Harris (C-) 54.16 — It’s still far from his excellent 62.11 DPR average on the season, but Harris is slowly finding his form. He played 31 minutes and scored 14 points off of 57-percent TS%. What hurt his score was a -8 plus-minus, and a low DRtg, as he only added three boards and zero assists.
Scout’s Grade (B+) — I thought Harris looked good, especially when he checked into the game in the first quarter. He’s still working to find his rhythm after missing an extended amount of time but the Nuggets have to be encouraged with how he willingly attacked the rim. I also thought his defense was solid.
Monte Morris (D) 42.54 — In a game where the Nuggets bench unit went a cumulative -24, Morris’ impact was lacking in his second-worst DPR score of the year. The young point guard just couldn’t make an impact, struggling with his shot, not managing a single assist — something he’s only done one other time this season — and only contributing one rebound. Morris needs to fight his way out of the slump he’s in. He’s averaged a 45.64 DPR the last three games, well below his 59.52 season average.
Malik Beasley (D+) 46.87 — Beasley’s hot six-game stretch cooled off significantly in Northern California as his shot wasn’t falling in a seven-point -3 outing. His 38 percent eFG% really hurt him as did his offensive and defensive ratings which were both subpar.
Scout’s Grade (C+) — Beasley was better than his DPR grade, even if his stats didn’t reflect it. He wasn’t efficient from the field but didn’t kill Denver when he was on the floor.
