Daniels still had no issue knocking down 3s however there wasnt much else working for the Nuggets. Daniels continued to be Denvers only real offense of note and would end up with twenty-eight points on the night. Bol had actually gone cold from the field.
As soon as again the Denver Nuggets found their roster bereft of guards as they took on the New Orleans Pelicans in their 2nd scrimmage. Unlike in their first contest, Denvers long lineup found themselves exposed far too typically on the border, fell behind early and never recovered.
Bol squandered no time getting where he ended, opening the game with a three that barely tickled the bottom of the net. Early on the Nuggets found plenty of chances on the offensive glass, however struggled to safeguard at the boundary, all of which was not a surprise given the size of their starting lineup. The Pelicans tore down a number of threes early on to fuel an 11-0 run and made an early 7 point lead. The Nuggets called timeout and calmed things down while the Pelicans had problem with turnovers. Bol tore down another a three, collected another block and Denver was back within three. With about 4 minutes to go Bol and Jokic took a look at and the Nuggets offense quickly stalled. The Pelicans duped a 12-0 run while Jokic was on the bench. He inspected back in and Troy Daniels right away hit a 3 however the Nuggets were still far behind. After one quarter Denver trailed by thirteen.
Denver called a timeout and got things back under control however the Pelicans responded with running the flooring which Denvers “Long Boi” lineup naturally struggled with. The Pelicans began going into their deeper bench gamers but still were able to put on another run as Denver had actually gone cold from the flooring (Jerami Grant was having a difficult night from the floor in specific). Daniels knocked down another 3 with just under a minute to go and Denver routed by 10 after 3.
When again the Denver Nuggets found their roster bereft of guards as they took on the New Orleans Pelicans in their second scrimmage. Bol knocked down another a 3, collected another block and Denver was back within three. Without Jokic and Bol on the court again for Denver though they couldnt get it back to single digits. All in all it was a much better defensive efficiency from Denver and on offense Jokic provided the Nuggets just enough. Denver called a timeout and got things back under control however the Pelicans reacted with running the flooring which Denvers “Long Boi” lineup naturally struggled with.
The Nuggets offense was fairly non current as Nikola was off the court once again. The Pelicans lead quickly swollen to 19. Timeout Nuggets, Jokic re-inserted and he immediately struck Daniels for an open jumper. Jokic was the crucial to whatever the Nuggets were doing and appeared like he was starting to knock off the rust. Still, Denver was unable to make much headway on the Pelicans lead. With 6 minutes remaining the lead was down to fifteen so Denver was gradually breaking away. It was evident though that they were having a hard time without their guards. On the other end the Pelicans had cooled down, they likewise werent getting as lots of open three point looks so the lead kept dwindling. Without Jokic and Bol on the court again for Denver though they couldnt get it back to single digits. All in all it was a better protective efficiency from Denver and on offense Jokic gave the Nuggets just enough. After one half, the Nuggets were down by eleven.
