The at the , dropping their record to 1-2. It was a contest with a controversial technical called on and a boatload of turnovers for Denver.
Here are six additional observations from the Nuggets’ loss:
1. To the backcourt. This was an interesting guard matchup, with Washington’s dynamic tandem of John Wall and Bradley Beal going against the Nuggets’ young combination of and . And it yielded some strange stat lines. Wall went 3 of 13 from the floor but 13 of 15 from the free-throw line, and added 12 assists against two turnovers. And he was clutch, hitting the jumper after Jokic’s 3-pointer to cut Washington’s lead to two late in the game and clinching the win with two free throws in the waning seconds. Beal led the Wizards with 20 points on 8 of 17 shooting and added five rebounds and two assists. Harris went 1 of 6 for two points with five rebounds, six assists and four turnovers. And Murray only had one of the Nuggets’ 24 total turnovers but shot 4 of 12 to drop his season mark to 7 of 27.
2. Second unit. The Nuggets’ lineup to start the second quarter was , , , and Jokic. That group pushed Denver to an 11-3 lead to start the period. The new addition was Beasley, who replaced an ill . Malone opted to go with a smaller lineup, rather than play recently acquired Richard Jefferson. Beasley, a second-year shooting guard, hit a 3-pointer in the second quarter and added one rebound, one assist and one steal in seven minutes.
3. Porter’s impact. Otto Porter was steady throughout, totaling 17 points, 10 rebounds and four steals, which should keep him No. 1 in the NBA in that last category.
4. Beating the clock. This game had three buzzer-beaters. Washington’s Tim Frazier hit a deep pull-up 3 at the end of the first quarter to tie the score at 29. Beal converted a tough layup just before the half to give the Wizards a 56-55 lead. And Barton sank a floater at the end of the third quarter to cut Washington’s lead to 78-77. Turns out all three of those last-second shots were pretty impactful.
5. On the break. Despite Washington’s 13 steals and overall team quickness, the Nuggets actually outscored the Wizards 21-18 on fastbreak points.
6. Quotable. Wall on Jokic’s bump of Wizards coach Scott Brooks: “No matter whatap going on between players and teammates, thatap something you don’t do to a coach. Thatap like me calling a coach a certain name.”
