The Nuggets’ six-game win streak is over.
Behind 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks from Andre Drummond, and 17 points off the bench from Stanley Johnson, the Pistons raced past the Nuggets 129-103, putting a stop to Denver’s second-longest win streak of the season.
Down three starters — Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Paul Millsap — the Nuggets held serve with the Pistons in the first quarter, leading 36-34 after one period. But injuries caught up to Denver before halftime, as the Nuggets’ patchwork bench lineup featuring Juancho Hernangomez, Tyler Lydon, Trey Lyles, Torrey Craig and starting point guard Monte Morris were outscored by 10 points in only three minutes of action.
The Pistons kept that rhythm through the halftime break, outscoring the Nuggets 34-19 in the second quarter. Detroit’s lead ballooned to 17 points in the third, and midway through the fourth the Pistons extended their advantage to 20 points.
It was a frustrating night all around for the undermanned Nuggets. Nikola Jokic, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season on Monday, finished with 16 points on 7-17 shooting, three rebounds and four assists. Will Barton struggled on the offensive end of the floor, shooting just 3-9 from the field and finishing with 10 points, though he did hand out seven assists. Plumlee, who drew the start alongside Jokic in place of Millsap, tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds and six assists but also turned the ball over six times.
The Nuggets were outrebounded 53-32.
Morris, a Michigan native who was born in Grand Rapids but went to high school in neighboring Flint, held a meet and greet and passed out free water on Sunday at Genesee Valley Center in the Flint area. He had a strong showing in front of friends and family, tallying 18 points on 8-13 shooting to go with three assists.
The best performance off Denver’s bench came from Lyles, who recorded 20 points on 8-13 shooting two days after scoring 19 points in Minnesota.
Johnson, who entered Monday’s matchup as a 26 percent three-point shooter, hit four of his five attempts from distance.
Denver continues its road trip Wednesday when the Nuggets visit the Nets.
