There are two inescapable realities about the first half of the Nuggets’ season. First, they are in a playoff race, played in by a bottom half of the Western Conference that is all struggling, to be sure. But in it nonetheless, currently occupying the eighth playoff slot.
Second, at 18-24 after Saturday nightap 123-98 victory over the at the , the Nuggets know they have a long way to go to be the team they want to be. Itap just best to know that while playing for something real.
“I hope we’re not who we are going to be for the last 41 games, because we’re not good enough,” coach Michael Malone said. “We’ve improved in certain areas, but obviously other areas we need a lot of improvement. So, hopefully as we go down into the second half of the season we can still play at a high level offensively, but find a way to get back to becoming a competitive defensive team. Even just an average defensive team. We can’t stay at a bottom-three defensive team and expect to be a playoff team.”
The Nuggets took a step in the right defensive direction against the Clippers, holding them to 41.7 percent shooting from the field in as effective a performance as they have had on that end all season. It helped that the Clippers were missing two of their stars, point guard Chris Paul and forward Blake Griffin, but opponents missing key players hasn’t necessarily equaled certain victories in Denver’s past.
The Nuggets are two games ahead of last season’s pace. Offensively, they have transformed into one of the most potent teams in the NBA. All that required was a change in the starting lineup, notably inserting second-year center . Since that change Dec. 15, only the and have averaged more points, only Golden State and the have a better field-goal percentage — and the Nuggets have a 9-8 record.
“I think we’re good,” said Jokic, whose double-double Saturday consisted of 19 points and 10 rebounds. “I think we’re supposed to have a little bit more wins, but we’re doing good.”
Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) flexes after making a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter Jan. 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) reaches in on Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post)
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) tries to work around Los Angeles forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) during the first quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) takes a shot over Los Angeles center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) looks on from the bench in plain clothes during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post)
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) guards Los Angeles Clippers forward Brandon Bass (30) closely during the first quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post)
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) looks to make a pass to the outside against Los Angeles center DeAndre Jordan (6) January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Los Angeles Clippers forward Brandon Bass (30) takes a shot over Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) during the first quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post)
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) goes up for an easy layup against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) pulls down a rebound away from Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the second quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) guards Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) during the third quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) reaches in on Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the third quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) drive to the basket on Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the third quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) takes a shot over Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) during the fourth quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) drives on Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) during the fourth quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) puts up his arms in defense as Los Angeles Clippers forward Brandon Bass (30) drive under the basket during the fourth quarter January 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
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Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) flexes after making a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter Jan. 21, 2016 at Pepsi Center.
Asked whether the Nuggets are a better team than at the start of the season, didn’t hesitate to respond.
“Yes, we are,” Gallinari said. “Our offense is much, much better. We’ve been playing good basketball at the beginning of the season too; itap just been not that constant. Too many ups and downs. Offense is going to be fine. We’ve just got to be focused on our defense for 48 minutes every night.”
BOXSCORE:
Malone seconded Gallo’s defensive remarks.
“I know that halfway through itap tough to make changes and all of that,” Malone said. “But, hey, after the first 25 games we made a change, found an identity and now our offense is one of the best in the NBA. So my hope is we can find a way to help our guys defensively to improve on that end as well.”
