Thus far for skipping a beat.
The Nuggets started the afternoon believing Nikola Jokic will be busy Friday only to later learn that he was suspended for leaving the bench area during Wednesday’s altercation.
It didn’however.
The Nuggets pounded the Suns 132-95 within his lack to increase 32-15 overall and 21-4 at Pepsi Center.
Eight Nuggets scored in double figures, and Denver dominated the glass 57-35 from the rout.
NBA Scoreboard
NBA Standings
Schedule
Denver Nuggets stats
Nuggets Mailbag
Ask mailbag queries
Friday needs to ’ve been the very first time as the second game of the season that the Nuggets rolled out their original starting five. But without Jokic, Mason Plumlee filled from the frontcourt openings, led fastbreaks and kept the Nuggets busy on the glass. Plumlee completed with 16 points, seven rebounds along with a team-high six assists.
The frontcourt combination of Plumlee and Paul Millsap (20 points, nine rebounds) kept the Nuggets smoothly ahead by double-digits from the third quarter while the shield concurrently forced half the Suns’ 15 turnovers. Devin Booker’s constant drives to the basket would be the most Suns&rsquo source of crime as he ended using a game-high 35.
Plumlee, one of the most heralded centers in the NBA, filled alongside the novices in seamlessly, but Denver can get Jokic back for Saturday’s matchup against Philadelphia.
The Nuggets understood the NBA’s no explanation for his suspension but weren’t completely suited given “rdquo similar instances & ; where the rule wasn’t implemented.
“Talked to the league, love their willingness to talk and explain their choice to suspend him,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone explained. “I felt, we felt that he wouldn’t be suspended based on other instances instances, but they found this in a different light. ”
Even the NBA’s no explanation stated that the many measures Jokic took toward ldquo & the fray;created the potential. ”
Asked to expand on exactly what the NBA had informed the Nuggets, Malone said the league felt Jokic moved in an aggressive manner.
“The principles are the principles,” Malone explained. “Obviously you just still want them to be sent consistently, but they felt Nikola was a tiny bit competitive in his movement along the baseline, they believe could’ve escalated the circumstance. ”
Malone insisted his team not dwell on who was missing, particularly given the fact the Suns beat the Nuggets the last time these two teams confronted on Jan. 12.
Related Articles
Nuggets maintained two shootarounds in wake of Jokic suspension
Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic suspended by the NBA for tonight’s game . Suns
NBA All-Star Game starters announced, Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic none of them
Torrey Craig: Nuggets defense feeling “tired, mentally, emotionally ”
Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic not concerned about possible suspension following skirmish with Jazz: “I didn’t do nothing”
“I don’t find poor staff, fantastic staff,” Jamal Murray said. “I see groups that play hard and groups that have gift. We lost . We can lose to any group, we can beat any team. We can lose to anybody if we can defeat anyone. ”
Even with Malone’s insistence about improving the protection, the Nuggets have shrunk considerably in that respect as Dec. 1. The first half against Phoenix was largely more of the same before a surge created some distance.
It was 45-45 with 7:18 remaining in the second quarter before the Nuggets stretched the lead heading into halftime. With Jokic out, Murray was the offensive stunt, but he obtained aid from Barton and Plumlee well. The three combined for 35 points as the Nuggets linked on nine 3-pointers. The highlight of the half came from a soaring alley-oop from Murray to Plumlee off a. Even more reassuring, it was the 2nd game Barton looked positive and comfortable producing about the end.
Booker was a menace had 21 points to go along with eight free throws after 2 and getting to the basket.
Buy Tickets for every event – Sports, Concerts, Festivals and more buytickets.com