New Orleans’ Davis, Randle too much for Denver defense
PELICANS 125, NUGGETS 115
NEW ORLEANS» The Nuggets dug themselves a hole too deep, and their self-inflicted mistakes did them in.
Whether it was turnovers or sloppy defense, the Nuggets couldn’t contend with the combination of Anthony Davis and Julius Randle and lost 125-115. They’re now 10-6 this season and 3-3 on the road.
Davis had a field day inside the paint, finishing with a game-high 40 including 20-of-21 from the free-throw line. Randle had 21 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. The Pelicans, coming off a huge comeback win Friday night over New York, had a 31-8 advantage from the free throw line.
“(Davis) is an MVP candidate, so obviously he raises their game a whole lot, “Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “He’s a guy that can affect the game and dominate the game on both ends of the floor, which not many players can do. His ability to score inside, outside, off the dribble, back to the basket, his ability to block shots, get steals …”
Gary Harris and Nikola Jokic were the Nuggets’ best offensive threats on a night when the offense went through fits and starts. Harris had 24 points on 6-of-9 3pointers, and Jokic had 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but didn’t have a huge second half impact as the Pelicans pulled away.
“(Jokic) is going to take what the defense gives him, and if that’s taking one shot, he’s gonna take one shot,” Malone said. “If that means he’s going to take 20 shots, he’ll do that. I think he needs to impact the game with his scoring, rebounding and playmaking every night.”
The Pelicans stretched the lead to as much as 13 in the third quarter while the Nuggets’ defense continued to flounder. Randle had two huge dunks, and the Nuggets didn’t have an offensive answer until early in the fourth
quarter when they cut it to seven off a Malik Beasley dunk.
Jamal Murray was back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench Thursday as a result of a small team violation. Though the Nuggets’ offense pounded the Hawks, Malone said he gave no thought to starting Monte Morris for a second consecutive game.
“Jamal is a huge part of our future, and we’re going to help him get through his early-season struggles, get back to being the player that we all know he’s capable of,” Malone said.
Murray finished with 11 points and six assists while Morris was solid again with 13 points and five assists off the bench.
It was an uninspiring defensive effort in the first half from the Nuggets, who entered Saturday with the third-ranked de- fense in the NBA. They trailed 70-67 heading into the third quarter after allowing the Pelicans to shoot 58 percent in the first half. Four players had double-digits led by Davis’ 22, and the Pelicans were 21 for 24 from the free throw line compared to the Nuggets, who had just five free throw attempts. Many were undisciplined fouls as the Nuggets bit on unconvincing fakes.
The Nuggets’ 3-point shooting, which has slowly started to come around, kept it close. Harris buried three 3-pointers and Juan Hernangomez knocked down two on good looks.
Jokic was dominant with 18 points in the first quarter. He found his shots within the flow of the offense and set the tone from the outset with an inside and outside presence.
The Nuggets appeared to dodge an injury when Jokic slipped along the baseline and walked back to the bench gingerly. He returned midway through the second quarter.