Big Easy comeback
Awaiting reinforcements, Denver’s Big 3 rally to win in New Orleans
Reinforcements are on the way, but they’re not there yet.
For one last game, the Nuggets were forced to contend with a Pelicans team built to create mismatches.
Despite arguably the biggest mismatch in the NBA — New Orleans forward Zion Williamson — Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets hung on, 113-108, on Friday night and improved to 27-18 on the season.
Come Sunday against Atlanta, Denver’s deadline acquisitions, including defensive pieces Aaron Gordon and JaVale McGee, should be available.
But on Friday night, the Nuggets, who trailed by as many as 11 in the fourth quarter, had to rely on what they had. Nikola Jokic poured in 37 points and nine assists, holding his own against Williamson, who finished with 39 points and 10 rebounds.
“That was a hell of a come-from-behind win,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who described Williamson as nearly unguardable. “… Proud of our guys to end this road trip. It’s been an emotional couple of days.”
In the second half, the Nuggets held the Pelicans to just 45 points, including a crucial 24-second violation late in the game to secure the win. Malone specifically cited the defensive efforts of Michael Porter Jr. and Will
Barton as vital to the win.
Porter and Jamal Murray combined for 48 points and seven 3pointers. Together, Denver’s Big 3 had 85 points, while the Nuggets’ reserves managed just seven points total.
Down 13 only minutes into the third quarter, Jokic began imposing his will on the game. He set up cutting teammates, served up open 3-pointers and commanded Denver’s offensive flow as it starting chipping away at the Pelicans’ lead. But it wasn’t just Denver’s MVP candidate.
Porter nailed two 3-pointers, and Murray caught a hot streak. His 3-pointer at the 3:24 mark of the third quarter tied it at 80. Together, Denver’s Big 3 combined for 28, and the Nuggets entered the fourth down just 86-85.
The Nuggets were back on the court just a day after an emotional and exhausting trade deadline saw them add two significant pieces but lose locker room stalwart Gary Harris in the process.
Malone thanked Harris and R.J. Hampton during his pregame news conference.
“I would be remiss if I did not say, ‘Thank you, Gary Harris, Thank you, R.J. Hampton, for everything you did for me, the Denver Nuggets and the city of Denver overall,”’ Malone said. “And they will definitely be missed.”
But amid the emotional goodbye, there was also the excitement of adding Gordon and McGee.
“Sometimes you get caught up in titles — president, head coach,” Malone said. “We work together, and we’re trying to help this team win a championship. Tim (Connelly), Calvin (Booth) and the entire front office, they spend hours and hours looking at possible scenarios, players that
can help us.
“But through constant communication and collaboration, you identify players that you think can help this team and obviously, Aaron Gordon was one of those players,” he said. “JaVale McGee was one of those players. We think (with) those two additions, we are a better team.”
The Nuggets played the first half like they had a trade deadline hangover. New Orleans drained 58% of its shots, including nine 3pointers to take a 63-54 lead into the break.
Williamson, a matchup nightmare for any team, was especially hard for Paul Millsap to cover. He had 19 points in the first half.
Jokic was more assertive as the Pelicans bolted out to an early double-digit lead.
He hunted his shots and wore out his defensive assignment for 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting over the first two quarters. Porter and Murray added 25 and three 3pointers.