Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone on Sunday called James Harden the “early favorite” to win the NBA MVP.
No kidding. The Rockets star rained down 41 points — 27 in the first half — in Houston’s 119-114 win over Denver at the Pepsi Center Sunday night. No loss is a good one, but in the Western Conference, the margin for error is razor-thin: the Nuggets sit at the No. 8 seed and is one game from being out of the playoffs. But they’re also a game from being the No. 5 seed, so there’s that.
And can we talk about for a minute? Seriously, Denver’s 23-year-old point center has been putting up video-game-esque numbers lately. Here’s his stat line through nine games in February: 22.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists.
The Nuggets are back at it on Tuesday when the Clippers (sitting in the No. 9 spot in the West) come to town. No rest for the weary.
— , The Denver Post
Want to receive this daily newsletter in your inbox?
What’s on tap?
- NHL: Canucks at Avalanche, 7 p.m., ALT | Preview |
- Cactus League: Rockies at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m. | Preview
Scoreboard
NBA: Rockets 119, Nuggets 114
| Recap
NCAA men’s basketball: Colorado 80, UCLA 76
| Recap
NCAA men’s basketball: (20) Nevada 92, Colorado State 83
| Recap
Must-Read
Shawn O’Malley shooting for spot as Colorado Rockies’ super-utility player
O’Malley’s got more than just the luck of the Irish going for him. He can play all three outfield positions, as well as shortstop and second and third base. Along with infielder Daniel Castro, O’Malley is the kind of versatile player Black likes to have on his bench. Read More…
John Shuster was leveled by the sport he loved. Then he got back up and won gold.
The Americans ended this Olympic tournament with five straight victories, and along the way became cult heroes. Read More…
NBA agent Dan Fegan killed when his SUV was hit by bus on Highway 82 near Aspen
Fegan, a longtime sports agent who represented some of the NBA’s biggest stars, was killed Sunday morning near Aspen when the SUV he was driving was hit by a bus on Highway 82. Read More…
Quick Hits
+ CU Buffs’ coach Tad Boyle on FBI probe revelations: “Obviously, our game needs fixing.”
+Last spring, Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis was battling cancer. This spring, he’s all about baseball.
+Kevin Harvick adds NASCAR Cup win to dominant weekend. Martin Truex Jr. finishes 5th.
+ The Jacksonville Jaguars take themselves out of Kirk Cousins derby by committing to Blake Bortles.
+ Denver native Dom Collier appeared in his 118th career game in CU uniform on Sunday. And he saved his best home performance for last.
+ Check out the photos from the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Pyeongchang.
By The Numbers
6
The number of triple-doubles has this season.
Parting Shot
WATCH: Ronda Rousey slams Triple H through at table at WWE’s Elimination Chamber
Typically assaulting your boss is frowned upon, to say the least. But in the WWE, it’s just called Sunday. Read More…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
