At some point in the third quarter, when the Nuggets went on a break after a steal by Ty Lawson (leading to a bucket by Arron Afflalo) to go up by 32 … I got up from the couch where I was watching the game to go to the kitchen. I stubbed my toe on the coffee table and collapsed to the floor in pain. It was then I realized that what I was watching wasn’t a dream, but a very sweet, sweet reality.
The Nuggets went on to win 108-87
Hard to single anyone out for praise in a game like this. Truly this was an ENTIRE team effort win that is an enormous breath of fresh air after the stinker the Nuggets had against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
Might as well single out the homecoming of rookie Gary Harris. Quite frankly, the rookie played like he hadn't missed a beat all year, and had maybe the dunk of the year if you will have your eyes drift below … if you please
So….there's that. Way to go young buck. Harris finished with 13 points.
Also Danilo Gallinari played possibly his best game of the year. He finished with 12 points and 4 rebounds but LOOKED much better and that was the big news…. What a sight so see, and he gave Brian Shaw an emphatic high five after he completed a four point play in the first half. What was more heartening was the fact that all his shots were ultra confident. Good sign going forward.
The interesting thing about this game was that the Nuggets seemed to be sparked by Harris’ excellent and energetic play. The Nuggets also played FAST in this game. Breaking with the guards instead of the bigs. Each player on the Nuggets contributed positively to the festivities and the energy and flow was there. The hope is that this carries them into the next game against the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon.
All of the starters aside from Timofey Mozgov finished in double figures. EVERYONE finished positively and contributed in a nice manner. After the game during his post game interview Arron Afflalo said this win was a sign that “everyone wants to compete and get a win” and this was very true.
Here is a link to the post game stats
Now, the Pacers aren’t great, and this wasn’t like beating a Western Conference opponent, but it was an enormous breath of fresh air to get a victory. I think everyone joins me in saying the same thing.
On to the next. Bring on New York.
