The Nuggets are good at one thing, and that’s not playing defense.
Defensive blunders have cost them all season and it cost them again last night in a 122-120 loss to the Clippers, at least temporarily knocking Denver out of the Western Conference playoff picture
This fact isn’t lost on coach Michael Malone, who Monday questioned his whole being as a coach over the fact Denver ranked 28th in the 32-team NBA over its last 18 games heading into Tuesday night. After all, part of the sell of Malone to Denver was his defensive expertise. Despite their defensive woes, the Nuggets’ offense is clicking at a rate topped only by Houston and Golden State. As much as Malone doesn’t think a high-octane offense is sustainable for a deep playoff push, embracing what the Nuggets are good at may be their best chance to reach the postseason for the first time since 2013.
The Nuggets went 7-3 in February by averaging 119.4 points per game (108.4 on the season) while giving up 118.3, and they did it by pushing the tempo. It’s the slimmest of margins, but just simply trying to win a track meet every night has worked more often than not.
The reality is that no evidence points to the Nuggets fixing their defense in the final quarter of the season, but what this team can do is score at an alarming rate by constantly pushing the tempo. The Nuggets can do one thing well, and they might as well milk it for all its worth.
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on tap?
- NHL: Flames at Avalanche, 7:30 p.m., ALT | Preview |
- Cactus League: Rockies at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m.
- Men’s College Hoops: Air Force at Wyoming, 7 p.m.
- Men’s College Hoops: New Mexico at Colorado State, 7 p.m.
- Women’s College Hoops: Portland State at Northern Colorado, 7 p.m.
Scoreboard
NBA: Clippers 122, Nuggets 120
| Recap
Cactus League: Angels 5, Rockies 2
| Recap
CONCACAF Champions League: Rapids 0 (0), Toronto FC 0 (2)
| Recap
Must-Read
Cocky? No. A confident Ryan McMahon is playing like he belongs on Colorado Rockies roster
Ryan McMahon’s Cactus League stats are impressive. You can file those numbers in the irrelevant file, because early spring training statistics have an incredibly short shelf life. What does matter is how the 23-year-old McMahon is carrying himself. Read More…
For Lamar Jackson and other class of 2018 QBs, NFL combine offers chance to quiet the noise
The quarterback class of 2018, which enters the NFL at a time when nearly a third of the teams in the league — a group that features the Broncos — are searching for one. Read More…
Quick Hits
+ Can Colorado Buffaloes football lead the Pac-12 in tempo in 2018?
+ Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles to be honored by the National Center for Learning Disabilities for raising ADHD awareness.
+ Colorado basketball products Colbey Ross and Jalen Sanders are in the midst of phenomenal Division I freshman campaigns.
+ New Zealand to face England in an international rugby match in Denver this summer.
+ The NFL is considering a change to the catch rule, and a 15-yard limit for pass interference.
By The Numbers
19
The Clippers outscored the Nuggets 70-62 in the second half as Denver blew a 19-point lead.
Parting Shot
Peyton Manning breaks down brother Eli’s dance moves from the “Dirty Dancing” Super Bowl commercial
Peyton Manning‘s dedication to studying game film now extends to evaluating his brother’s dance moves. 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 .
