Coming off of a big win at home against the Atlanta Hawks, earning their first win of the season, the Denver Nuggets fell flat in the fourth after outscoring the Suns 40-to-20 in the 3rd quarter, losing 114-103.
Ty Lawson started the Nuggets off with a three-pointer after an empty possession from the Suns. JaVale McGee blew a wide open lay-up on Denver’s next possession, but after a stop by Denver, Kenneth Faried made a spectacular circus shot, with the hoop and the harm. Phoenix answered right back with a Channing Frye three ball, and the quickness of Eric Bledsoe put the Suns up 7-6 early on. JaVale turned the ball over on the next possession with a travel as P.J. Tucker threw a lob to Gerald Green, forcing Brian Shaw to call a time-out, trailing 16-10. Miles Plumlee was too much for Timofey Mozgov in the first, as he scored back-to-back and ones, forcing Mozgov to sit. Anthony Randolph was a surprise contributor as he hit a tough fade-away jumper to reduce the lead to seven. After the Suns offense stalled, Evan Fournier hit a wide open three to force a timeout by Phoenix, as the Suns led 27-22. The first ended with both teams trading baskets as the Suns led 35-29.
The Nuggets started the 2nd quarter with great defense, two steals from Anthony Randolph and one from Nate Robinson led Denver to a 7-0 run, Jeff Hornacek unhappy with his team called a timeout. Whatever Hornacek said to his team worked; Phoenix went on a 10-0 run sparked by an alley-oop to Gerald Green who almost hit his forehead on the rim. Green also hit a three pointer putting the Suns up 45-36. Jordan Hamilton answered back with a three of his own, who has been a great fit so far in Brian Shaw’s offense. From that point on, Denver went ice cold. Nuggs missed their last 11 shots to finish the 2nd, trailing 64-47 at the half. The Suns shot 51%, 5-of-10 from deep, the Nuggets would need to come out firing in the 3rd, or this game was over.
Ty Lawson and company did just that. He hit a 3-pointer reducing the Suns lead to 15, and a put back shot by Hamilton had the Nuggets slowly creeping back. Lawson on the next play stole it and was fouled hard going to the hole, making both of his free throws. Empty possession from Phoenix led to Randy Foye getting fouled, cashing in both free throws to bring the deficit to within three, sparking a Denver 12-1 run. The Nuggets offense was unstoppable, Lawson, Foye, and Hamilton with three straight scoring possessions led to a 23-3 run, putting Denver up 74-72. Lawson was crucial in this 3rd quarter turnaround, he shot 7-of-9, cashing in 21 points as the Nuggets took an 87-84 lead at the end of three.
Eric Bledsoe had enough of the Nuggets scoring run, as he started the 4th with a three, tying it up at 87. Jordan Hamilton shot an off-balance jumper and cashed it, putting the Nuggets up by two. But this fourth quarter belonged to the Suns. Gerald Green splashed a three putting Phoenix up 100-93, forcing Brian Shaw to rally his troops with a timeout. Denver couldn’t find the intensity they had in the 3rd, as Markieff Morris drilled a three, as he had a career night. Morris finished with a double-double, 28 points and 10 rebounds. Bledsoe finished off the Nuggets chances with a jumper, followed by a three, putting the Suns up 110-101. The Suns prevailed, winning 114-103.
The Nuggets have been great shooting from behind-the-arc in the first few games, but they got carried away against the Suns, shooting way too many. They went 8-for-22, (36.4%). They need to focus in the post more, as J.J. Hickson only shot the ball two times. Faried and McGee combined for 2-for-8 from the field, with five points. The Nuggets need more production offensively and defensively from those two.
Ty Lawson single-handedly kept this ball club in the game, as he shot 10-for-21, with 29 points and 4 assists. He is having an all-star caliber start with Gallo and Chandler out. Anthony Randolph was a key contributor coming off of a sprained ankle, scoring 14 points and hauling in 7 rebounds. Jordan Hamilton had himself a night as well, scoring 19 points and collecting 9 rebounds.
The Nuggets need to improve defensively and be able to hold leads. We saw this same story against San Antonio as well. They need to tighten up on their pick-and-roll defense with hard hedges. The Nuggets expect to get forward Wilson Chandler back Monday against the Jazz, who will help with the defensive schemes.
What’s Up Next: The Nuggets (1-4) travel to Utah, to face the Jazz (0-6).
Andy Dill
Andy is a Huge Denver Sports Fan. He started writing in Fall 2013. He plays baseball, basketball, football and baseball.
