Facundo Campazzo played more than 12 minutes for the Denver Nuggets, in the game that more time spent on the court in the current NBA season. This Tuesday, the Argentine distributed five assists and scored a point in his team’s loss to the Sacramento Kings by 125 to 115.
He blow suffered by Jamal Murray in the match against the Houston Rockets, he left one of the two Nuggets figures injured. With a sore right elbow, the point guard did not enter the call-up to face the Kings.
That inconvenience weakened Denver’s attack, but allowed Campazzo to have more participation in the game.
Jamal Murray’s injury allowed him to add more minutes to Facundo Campazzo in the Nuggets. Photo Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
In 12 minutes and 10 seconds of action, the Cordovan scored a point (1-2 in free practice; 0-3 in field goals, all triples), gave five assists, stole two balls and took a defensive rebound.
Also committed three losses and three personal fouls.
Unlike the three previous games, this Tuesday Campazzo saw action in all the quarters and was able to perform in his natural position, as the base of his team.
He entered for the first time with 2 minutes and 39 seconds to go before the close of the first period. In the final seconds he assisted with a dive pass to German power forward Isaiah Hartenstein.
He remained on the court at the beginning of the second quarter, in which he played the initial 4 minutes and 39 seconds. Just started the period he gave an assist to Will Barton, who hit a triple.
After committing his first personal foul, he starred a bumpy stretch along with his partner Hartenstein. First, he missed a float pass for the German, bound for alley oop. On the next play, the former Peñarol de Mar del Plata and Real Madrid player went to the basket and tried to open the game for Hartenstein. Again, the connection failed.
However, Campazzo stayed focused at the match. In the next action Harrison Barnes slapped the ball. Hartenstein controlled possession and tried to return it to the Argentine, but his pass was intercepted by rookie Tyrese Haliburton. However, there the Argentine appeared to recover the ball again and take a whip that left Barton alone in front of the basket for a double.
Coach Mike Malone returned him to the court for the last 2 minutes and 2 seconds of the third quarter. He assisted for a triple by Michael Porter Jr, which gave Denver a 10-point lightning (99-89). Then, he was fouled and went to the free line: he missed the first and hit the second attempt. By then Sacramento was tightening the result again and the period ended 100-96.
Campazzo participated in the opening 2 minutes of the fourth quarter. He took his only rebound of the night and assisted for PJ Dozier’s 3-pointer. However, he committed his third personal foul and lost the ball for the third time in the match.
His departure from the court coincided with the Kings comeback, who had already led in the middle of the match and that with a partial 21-10 at the end they took the victory by 125 to 115.
It was the Denver Nuggets’ third loss in their four games of the season. He had already fallen with the Sacramento Kings in the debut (3 points in 8 minutes for the Cordovan) and with the Los Angeles Clippers in the second game (3 minutes, with no scores from the Argentine), to recover on Monday against the Houston Rockets (4 points from Campazzo in 5 minutes of play).
Nikola Jokic added a new triple-double, but committed 10 turnovers. Photo Ezra Shaw / Getty Images / AFP
The top scorer of the night was Michael Porter Jr., with 30 points. His 10 rebounds also stood out. Nikola Jokic again added a triple-double (26 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists), but suffered 10 losses.
De’Aaron Fox was Sacramento’s best player, scoring 24 points and giving 10 assists. Richaun Holmes followed, with 20 units. Haliburton’s contribution was key: 8 of his 13 points came in the end, to guide his team to victory.
The Denver Nuggets next game will be Friday, January 1, against the Phoenix Suns.
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