Johnson Came Back, the Five Was Whole, and Phoenix Never Caught Up
Denver's 127-120 win in Phoenix showed what this starting group is worth when all five can play together, and how little is behind it.
Cameron Johnson was cleared, started, and posted the best plus-minus on the team as Denver won its second straight on the road. The starters carried almost the entire load, so the next question is whether the bench can hold a lead.
How the game turned
There were 11 lead changes and seven ties. Phoenix led 37-32 after one quarter, and its biggest lead was seven. Denver went into the half up 71-67 after an 8-0 run late in the second quarter turned a 54-51 deficit into a 59-54 lead. The Nuggets' largest lead was 11, and the Suns never got back in front for good. Jamal Murray finished with 39 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and nobody on Phoenix had an answer for him late.
What Johnson changed
Johnson was cleared the day of the game and was +21 in his 24 minutes through three quarters, with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists. His shot was not falling, 2 of 7 from three. The margin came from his spacing and his defense next to the others. Aaron Gordon was +16 on 3 of 5 shooting and 5 of 5 at the line. Christian Braun had 26 points on 10 of 13, including 6 of 6 from three. Nikola Jokic scored only eight but had eight assists and three steals, and Denver's scoring ran through his passes.
Grades
Braun gets an A. He made every three he took and added two steals, and his offense was the reason this group could survive Jokic scoring so little. Murray gets an A for carrying the scoring and closing the game. Johnson gets a B-plus: his shooting was ordinary, but nobody's minutes mattered more. DeMar DeRozan gets a C, with five assists, 1 of 3 shooting and a -7 in 13 minutes.
The bench is still the problem
Through three quarters the starters had scored 80 points and the bench had scored eight. Trevon Brazile was -10 in 11 minutes, the worst mark on the team. Even so, Adelman had him in the closing group in place of Gordon, which shows how much the coaches trust his defense. At 3-2 Denver is ninth in the West, 0.5 games behind Dallas for sixth. Three days off before Portland visits on November 2 should help. Alpha Diallo and Spencer Jones are both projected back that night. If they return, the second unit gets reinforcements instead of more minutes for a starting group that cannot play all 48.
Who led the Nuggets in their win over the Suns?
Jamal Murray led Denver with 39 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the 127-120 win. Christian Braun added 26 points and went 6 of 6 from three.
Is Cameron Johnson back from his ankle injury?
Yes. Johnson was cleared and started in Phoenix, and he posted Denver's best plus-minus at +21.
