Best-Michael Porter Jr. F Nuggets – 30PTS 11-19FG 5-9 3PT 3-4FT 15 REB 1BLK
Michael Porter Jr. has finally arrived for the Denver Nuggets and. Porter has been allowed to play some meaningful minutes for the Nuggets, and it is paying not only for Porter’s stats and accolades but is also getting the Nuggets some much-needed wins in the bubble.
On Monday night’s thrilling overtime win against Oklahoma City, Porter scored 37 points, a career-high, and put the league on notice. Porter helped lead the Nuggets to a big win against a team chasing them in the standings, adding some playoff intensity, which is where the Nuggets want Porter at his best. Porter followed that massive game on Monday with another monster game against the San Antonio Spurs. Porter now has back to 30 point double-doubles that lead the Nuggets to two consecutive wins. With Porter living up to his potential the Nuggets hoped he would and the constant play of star C Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets look like they are ready to do some damage in the bubble.
Other Notables: Joel Embiid (C) 76ers – 30PTS 11-20FG 0-2 3PT 8-9FT 11REB 3AST 3STL 2BLK 3TO 33MIN; Rudy Goebert (C) Jazz – 21PTS 5-9FG 11-12FT 16REB 1AST 2STL 3BLK 2TO.
Worst – Dejounte Murray (G) San Antonio Spurs – 4PTS 2-8FG 0-2 3PT 1REB 3AST 3STL 26MIN
The San Antonio Spurs have made the playoffs every season since 1998. 22 straight seasons. But after the substandard performance of PG Dejounte Murray, that record is in jeopardy. The Spurs came into Wednesday night’s game with the Denver Nuggets, only two games behind the 8th seeded Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies lost earlier in the day, giving the Spurs a perfect opportunity to come out and get within one game of the Grizzlies. But the Spurs fell flat on their face, and Murray was a big part of this disappointing loss. Murray came out flat and got even flatter as the game went on. Gregg Popovich, head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, is one of the best coaches in the league, past or present, but he needs to hurry to the drawing board as time is running out, and each loss piles up.
Extra Trash – Lebron James (F) Lakers – 19PTS 7-19FG 0-5 3PT 5-8FT 11REB 4AST 1STL 30MIN; Anthony Davis (F/C) Lakers – 9PTS 3-11FG 0-3 3PT 3-4FT 8REB 5AST 1TO).