3 Take-Aways From the Denver Nuggets Loss to the Charlotte Hornets
The Denver Nuggets came into the contest as the number one team in the west but was not able to maintain their high-velocity play.
The Denver Nuggets win streak was broken at seven after a strong game from Charlotte. The Hornets played well and the Nuggets didn’t. We don’t need any equations to solve this one but the disappointments don’t stop at the loss. You can’t win them all and that wasn’t the expectation but more injuries is the kiss of death for some clubs.
Take-away #1-The Nuggets shot 39% from the field and 23% from beyond the arc. Nikola Jokic had 16 points and 11 rebounds but when the big man is held to zero assists we know the Denver offensive machine is not working. Torrey Craig was scoreless and fouled out of the game. Jamal Murray led the Nugs with 20 but the combined efforts would not be enough. The defense faltered early on and that leaves the offensive effort to destabilized to be consistent.
Take-away #2-The Hornets came together and played a good game. They worked through their own rough patches early in the game and the defense held tight at the end of the game when the Nuggets tried to make a push for catching up. Kemba Walker scored 21 with 8 assists and Marvin Williams had 14 points and 10 rebounds. This was enhanced up by the seasoned veteran Tony Parker for the win this time. The Hornets bench also outscored the Nuggets 59-40.
Take-away #3-More injuries was about the last thing the Nuggets needed. Gary Harris was injured recently and Denver has already been playing without him. He is expected to be out for the next couple of weeks. About midway through the third quarter Paul Millsap went down with an injury. It was determined he broke his toe and now he will be out for about 4 weeks. We were already anticipation Will Barton and Isaiah Thomas back from injury, now we have two of the starters out as well. Barton and Thomas are expected to beat Harris and Millsap back.
Next. The Nuggets end of the year. dark
Check out the Nuggets in their next game Saturday, December 8 against the Atlanta Hawks.