Andy Cross, The Denver PostGolden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) slam dunks over Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) and Denver Nuggets Ahead Torrey Craig (3) in first quarter in the Pepsi Center on Jan. 15, 2019.
MEMPHIS — Veterans Paul Millsap and Will Barton understand for the Nuggets to reach their potential — or even merely hold their own with six of the next seven matches on the road — their shield could ’t even be negotiable.
It has been.
In all but one of Denver’s seven matches, competitions have attained at least 30 points in the first quarter. In Saturday’s win over Philadelphia, that number swelled to 37.
“We ought to ’ve put (the 76ers) away (ancient ),” Millsap stated. “Against a fantastic teamwe’re going to have to learn to put teams away when people ’ve obtained a guide. ”
Barton, who’been back for two or more weeks because his heart operation, has seen first-hand the breakdowns and lapses that have contributed to the Nuggets’ 23rd defense within that span.
“We’ve been with leads just based on our crime,” Barton. “We feel like when our strength matched our crime then we could be putting teams away by halftime. ”
Generally speaking, Denver’s protection has gotten into matches. The Nuggets have the fourth-best defensive evaluation in the second half of matches as Jan. 1.
“We& & rsquo;re definitely waiting to sort of get the protection to the match we were used to seeing 48 (moments ) in the beginning of the year,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone. “Whether it’s halftime, imploring men, revealing clipscleaning up some things. Sometimes making an adjustment. A lot of times it’s ‘Hey, make it more difficult, do it even better. ’”
In recent weeks Malone has lamented rsquo & his team;s preparation, whether in knowing rsquo & an opponent;s trends or viewing an opponent’s past match. It’s most a part of the reason the Nuggets (33-15), regardless of their album, frequently appear ill-prepared at tipoff.
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“And speak. How many times have I spoke about our lack of communication with this season? ” Malone stated. “It’s very kind of comical occasionally. We had likely a two or three minutes stretch from Philly after lifeless balls or free throws where no one knew who they had, and it’s no longer (assistant trainer ) Wes Unseld’s error. He’s telling men. But sure enough as they deliver the ball up the floor, we’ve got two men guarding this guy and guarding one, and that’s the sort of material that’s infuriating occasionally. ”
These are the sort of lapses that become more conspicuous and more difficult to overcome away from the Pepsi Center.
“Gont even need to play defense, it’s as easy as that,” Millsap stated. “Either perform lose. On the road. You’t gotta get ceases. ”
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