(Photograph credit score: John Hefti-Imagn Photographs)
Denver coach Mike Malone did nothing after the Nuggets have been blown out 145-118 by the New York Knicks at dwelling Monday evening.
Malone, whose Nuggets host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday evening in Salt Lake Metropolis, criticized every little thing from his workforce’s management to what he perceived because the gamers’ lackadaisical and torpid play.
“No matter who’s in, who’s out, who can we need to be as a workforce?” Malone mentioned whereas lashing out in his post-match interview. “Management could be superior. Toughness could be superior. Physicality could be superior. Enjoying such as you actually care could be superior. We did not do this tonight.”
Denver additionally did not play a lot protection.
The Knicks outscored them by 12 factors within the first quarter, constructed a 23-point halftime lead and constructed a lead by as a lot as 30 factors whereas dominating each statistical class.
New York shot 60.9 p.c, recorded a franchise-record 45 assists (in comparison with Denver’s 23), outscored the Nuggets 43-33 and had 16 extra factors within the paint (62-46) and on fast counters (24-8).
Russell Westbrook led Denver with 27 factors, whereas Nikola Jokic chipped in with a below-average 22 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists. Jamal Murray added 20 factors.
Malone lamented the lopsided loss, however he is much more involved that the Nuggets are going within the fallacious path.
“Russell Westbrook is talking out, however we want extra than simply Russell Westbrook. I want Nikola Jokic. I want Jamal Murray. I want the fellows which have been right here on this beginning lineup to ‘specific,” Malone mentioned. “…We have been embarrassed. What simply occurred – let’s be trustworthy, it occurred tonight for 4 quarters, nevertheless it occurred within the first half towards Dallas. We’re 16 video games in and we’re speaking about effort, we’re after we’re speaking about robustness, we’re speaking about physics.”
The Jazz beat the identical Knicks workforce in Utah on Saturday, however fell aside within the fourth quarter of their 128-115 loss to the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday evening. They are going to be again to again for this one towards Denver.
After trailing by only one level early within the fourth quarter, Utah was outscored by 10 factors for the remainder of the sport, whereas solely scoring 22 factors within the remaining stanza. It was the Jazz’s fifth loss in six video games.
Probably the most obvious stat: the Jazz turned the ball over 21 instances resulting in 33 factors for the Spurs. San Antonio had simply 10 turnovers.
“I actually assume on the finish of the day tonight we fought,” Jazz coach Will Hardy mentioned. “Tight recreation at dwelling going into the fourth quarter. They’ve eight offensive rebounds within the fourth quarter alone, and one other evening the place we’ve 20-plus turnovers. It is simply robust to win.”
Utah was eradicated from the NBA Cup with the loss through which Victor Wembanyama scored 34 factors on six 3-pointers on 13-of-23 capturing.
Keyonte George led Utah with 26 factors and made 9 of 16 photographs. Collin Sexton scored 20 with 4 assists.
Lauri Markkanen had 14 factors, however he injured his knee in a collision with Wembanyama and didn’t return. The Jazz categorized the damage as a left knee contusion.
Denver gained the primary recreation towards the Jazz, 129-103, at dwelling on November 2. It was the ultimate lack of Utah’s 0-6 begin.
–Discipline degree media
