AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTorrey Craig (3) of the Denver Nuggets blocks Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets Through the fourth quarter of Denver’s 105-95 win on Wednesday.

He’s not just indoors Russell Westbrook&rsquo. Torrey Craig is buried deep in Westbrook’s unconscious today, a burr lodged so far to the buttocks of Beastbrook’s psyche that you’d need tweezers the size of Thornton to keep No. 0 out of walking funny.

“When (Russell) starts complaining to the ref,” Craig stated after his eight points, three assists and 3 blocks — all on Westbrook — assisted lift the Nuggets to a tingling, satisfying 105-95 win over the Houston Rockets overdue Wednesday, “that’s kind of a indication that I understand I’m kind of getting on his nerves a little bit. ”

He’s not just on their nerves. The dude’therefore in their own dreams. Craig is your evil clown.

“He’s out there to defend, make energy plays, give us extra possessions,” said Denver coach Michael Malone, whose surging Nuggets (10-3) sponsor Boston (11-3) on Friday at the second matchup of NBA division leaders in Pepsi Center weekly. “(Wednesday) is that the Torrey Craig that we desire when he’so-called upon. ”

If the prime directive is interfering with Westbrook’s mojo, No. 3 is always ready to answer that phone.

In four head-to-head meetings a year ago, the Nuggets swing guy maintained the Rockets’ star guard — afterward with Oklahoma City — to just 4-of-21 shooting (19% ) plus a chilly 0-for-8 on treys.

The juju picked up where it left off on Wednesday, as Harden’s backcourt partner connected on just 8 of 22 in the ground and made good on just two of 9 attempts from beyond the arc.

The Craig dropped his final stuff on Russ with 5:08 left, as the Nuggets caressed a seat. But No. 3’s viral instant had come three moments before, once the third-year wing stripped Harden in midcourt, then cruised all alone to the rim for an uncontested, 360-degree hit.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJames Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets watches in the ground as Torrey Craig (3) of the Denver Nuggets attempts to throw down a highlight after stealing the ball from Harden during the fourth quarter of Denver’s 105-95 win on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.

As the hosts padded the lead, 90-78, Harden — that both the NBA’s leading scorer — was left seeing out of his derriere.

“He sparked the crowd by that,” Nuggets ahead Will Barton said. “He brings a lot of energy, a lot of strength. You need that in a game such as this. ”

Defense is needed by you. A-list stops. That’s the reason Malone pulled Craig aside on Wednesday day and stated to be ready to rock come game time. It didn’whether he or rsquo played 12 minutes, combined, at the previous two tilts Regardless of. Be. Ready.

“I feel as though we have a bullpen,” Malone clarified. “If I need to earn defender, I call that the bullpen, we earn Torrey Craig. If we need shooting or offense or a spark, you can visit Juacho (Hernangomez), you can visit Michael Porter (Jr.). So we have depth. ”

When things are clicking , they rsquo; ve got a defense that is huge, also. The Rockets’ 95 points were a new single-game low for your own golf club. And Harden’s 27 points — he came in November 39.2 — was his second-lowest point total in 2019-20 along with the least-impactful outing since a 19-point functionality on 2-of-13 shooting against Milwaukee on Oct. 24.

“They have lucky,” Harden groused. “They got away with you. ”

“I wasn’t ” Craig would say. “I understood the task. ”

And you better believe that No. 3 was up for it.

“I’ve been telling him that the past few matches: ‘Just keep your head inside, we’re going to need you,’” Barton said. “He’s one of the best defenders, so I understood (Wednesday), he’d likely get his name known. ”

Buy Tickets for every event – Sports, Concerts, Festivals and more buy tickets dot com concerts