As they skidded into the new year, with a 1-4 record over the past week, the Nuggets suddenly started facing questions about those dreaded mid-season obstructions: fatigue, inexperience, bad juju.
But the problem is simple — baskets. In January, the Nuggets have not been able to buy one. Denver’s field-goal percentage entering Tuesday tanked to 38 percent, well below its season average of 46 percent (12th best in the league). The Nuggets certainly don’t lack for players who like to shoot. They just can’t score.
“It’s not just one guy, it’s a lot of guys,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “We have a lot of guys struggling to make shots.”
Shooting slumps come and go for every team and the best way to dig out of the bricks is to take higher-percentage shots. But the Nuggets certainly will not wait out their struggles.
“You shoot it out, you don’t wait it out,” shooting guard Will Barton said.
In their past 10 games before Tuesday’s tip against the Mavericks, the Nuggets’ shooting percentages were down from individual totals nearly across the board. Jokic was shooting 39 percent. Wilson Chandler 40 percent. Kenneth Faried 35 percent. Barton 38 percent.
Malone even punched out a classic basketballism: “I don’t want a shooting guard. I want a making guard.”
So Barton on Tuesday was moved into the Nuggets starting lineup, as Malone decided to play small ball against Dallas’ similarly short lineup. Barton displaced center Mason Plumlee, who had been playing next to Jokic in a “Twin Towers” front court.
Barton’s inclusion in a kind of three-guard set — with Gary Harris and Jamal Murray — was also a way to goose the shooting percentage.
“We’re getting good shots, we’re just not making them,” Barton said. “It’ll turn for us.”
Early struggles. The Nuggets’ shooting issue has been especially pronounced early in games. They had been outscored in the first quarter in six consecutive games before Tuesday.
“You always have to look at what we can do better. If changing things up will help that, we’ll definitely look to do so,” Malone said. “On the season, we’re 12-4 when we win the first quarter (before facing Dallas). Yes, energy is important. But if we have to make a lineup change, and we think it’s going to help us, we’ll definitely do so.”
Against Dallas, the Nuggets finally won a first quarter, as Barton’s 3-point leaner from the left side at the buzzer gave them a 30-27 lead. Barton and Harris combined for 19 points.
DENVER AT LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, ALT; 950 AM
Spotlight on Danilo Gallinari
The Nuggets’ trip to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Wednesday could be overshadowed by intrigue. On Monday, three Houston players shoved into the Clippers locker room after a game to confront L.A. guard Austin Rivers, according to reports. Suspensions may be coming. On top of the brouhaha, Denver will miss its first chance to face former mainstay Gallinari. The 10th-year forward, whom the Nuggets traded for a second-round pick in July, played in just 11 games for the Clippers before a left glute muscle tear set him down. He’s missed 19 games since. He was averaging 13.4 points per game, fourth-best on L.A.’s roster. “I saw him running today so he may be getting closer,” . “But he’s still a ways away.”
