From the opening tap of the Nuggets 124-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets you could tell there was something different about the Nuggets offense. Crisp passes. Cuts to the lane. Pace. It looked as if the Nuggets of 2016-17 infected the Paul Millsap/Nikola Jokic Nuggets.
You know what? The Nuggets looked THAT good.
Using a massive run in the third quarter, the Nuggets took a 14 point deficit and turned it into a 26 point advantage in the blink of an eye led by a breakout game from Jamal Murray. The second year starting point guard scored 26 points (one point off his season high) and added 5 assists on on 9 – 14 shooting. Most encouraging Murray went 2-3 on the three point shot. Murray led the burst in the third quarter that essentially salted away the game for the Nuggets.
Wilson Chandler emerged after 5 frustrating games and finally found his shot. With freedom to roam through the lane, Chandler made his presence known by dropping 18 points on 7-11 shooting and pulling down 5 rebounds. Chandler had been the most frustrated with his play, and the improved mobility and space in the lane helped him in his break out game.
To start the game the Nuggets were improved offensively but struggled to stop a three point barrage by the Nets. At one point in the second quarter the Nets led by 14 points. Before the end of the half, the Nuggets reeled the Nets back in and were down by three entering halftime after a last-second Will Barton three.
Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap each had double doubles for the Nuggets as Millsap scored 13 and pulled down 11 rebounds and Jokic exploded in the second half and finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds. It seemed as if the Nuggets learned that they needed to move Millsap out of the lane for others to benefit. Between the two frontcourt mates the two amassed 9 assists.
The Nuggets went up by 26 in the third quarter and essentially coasted the rest of the way. Nuggets will face the New York Knicks tomorrow to complete their 4 game road trip.