Denver Nuggets vs Orlando Magic: Two main takeaways.
Denver Nuggets Blowout Orlando’s Magic
Denver Nuggets fans, a blowout has been due for the Denver Nuggets.
Given the Denver Nuggets’ increased ability to play at a high level on both sides of the floor. Last night, Denver won in convincing fashion against a team ranked 8th in the increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.
From the preseason, through to the start of the NBA. Quite a few of our predictions for the Nuggets have been proven accurate. The Denver Nuggets are better defensively. The next main contention of ours is that the Denver Nuggets, accomplishments notwithstanding, have a higher ceiling than most other teams in the NBA.
With this dominant victory over the Orlando Magic, the Nuggets may have turned a significant corner. Admittedly, the Magic, according to the NBA’s advanced stats are only ranked 15th in the NBA for their general offense. Nevertheless, the experience gained from this game is invaluable.
Yes there is still more to learn but as long as the Denver Nuggets continue to do so. They can compete with any team in the NBA. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at some of the key reasons for the Nuggets’ victory.
Denver’s Defense Helped the Nuggets Dominate
As the score indicates (112-87) the Denver Nuggets dominated the Orlando Magic. One of the main ways in which Denver did so; was their defense. The Nuggets used their defense to force the Magic to get less shots and take more time, to get the shots they did take.
Last night, the Magic got just 79 shot attempts from the field compared to 93 shots for the Nuggets. Moreover, the Nuggets defense made it hard for the Magic to get quality looks. Orlando shot 40.4% from the field, whilst the Nuggets shot 47.3%.
That disparity alone is a huge reason why Denver won convincingly last night but there were more.
In addition to this, the Nuggets grabbed more:
Defense to Offense
All of which ensured that the Nuggets had the ball in their hands most of the time. Putting immense pressure on Orlando’s defense.
The Nuggets had 5 more fast break points than Orlando and twice as many points in the paint (64).
Additionally, Denver’s passing ability ensured that the Nuggets made the most of all the extra possessions they had. Yes there was the usual suspect Nikola Jokic, cutting up the Magic’s defense with no-look bullet passes.
However, the Joker had quite a bit of company too. Last night, Plumlee again showed that he had a few tricks of his own. With a no look behind-the-back pass the Joker could be proud of. Mason Plumlee had 4 assists, Jamal Murray had 6, Monte had 4 and Jokic not to be outdone had 11.
Whilst Denver still struggled with their turnovers 11, which the Magic turned into 18 points. As well as their 3 point shooting (32.1%). The Nuggets got far more right than they got wrong against a good team.
It is onwards and upwards for the Nuggets, come what may. Learning from their mistakes has to be a priority for Denver.
For if the Nuggets can do this, they can become unstoppable.