Nuggets’ Apathy and NBA Updates: Latest Scores from Around the League

It is common for a certain apathy to take over the current champions, regardless of who is the protagonist of that nomenclature in each season. This is what is happening in a way to the Nuggets, who are coming off a fantastic, historic season, hearing a golden symphony in the Rockies that also meant the first ring in the history of the franchise. And it is normal to a certain extent, after all they have more than enough level and talent to put on autopilot, add victories and stay in the top positions of the Western Conference without the same effort as the rest. An envy in such a competitive place but in which they continue to add despite everything: 26-13, in third place after Wolves and Thunder; and with two wins ahead of the Clippers, fourth. They are 3-3 in the last 6 games, they do not seem to be worried about the situation, they enjoyed last summer and I am sure that after the All Star they will show another side and go ahead to find the best possible position for the playoffs. Of course, they need that chip change. That other march. The one they haven’t shown in Salt Lake City, a place where incredible things have happened. Ask Michael Jordan.

The Nuggets ran aground in Utah (124-111). They did it with Nikola Jokic who only shot 9 times (8 hits), but still added 27 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Of course, also 6 of the 16 losses that his team had, which received 71 points in the first two quarters and could no longer do anything regarding the comeback. The entire starting quintet finished with +/- negative and Jamal Murray was denied in the shot: 17 points, but 6 of 15, in addition to 1 of 5 in triples. In the Jazz (19-20, they get into the play in from which the Rockets leave), Lauri Markkanen was the leader, and also the lord and master of the match: 26 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists for a +17 with him on the track, the best data of the night in that last section. Jordan Clarkson, with 27 points and 9 shots to the basket from the bench, was a perfect microwave and the best possible lieutenant for his Finnish teammate. The Jazz add up. And the champion falls prey to apathy. For now, no one is going to blame him. A lot is needed in the Nuggets for the alarms to go off. And we are not at that moment, that’s for sure.

INDIANA PACERS 112 – 104 WASHINGTON WIZARDS

The loss of Tyrese Haliburton, who has avoided major problems and is not as serious as was thought at the beginning full of concern, has not prevented the Pacers from adding in a game in which they had to do so and continue in the fourth position in the Eastern Conference, the first in a highly sought-after area in which there are five teams in just one game. Up to seven players from the squad coached by Rick Carlisle reached ten points, with Myles Turner’s 18 (with 13 rebounds) leading the way. In the Wizards, there were six who achieved double figures in scoring, with special mention to Jordan Poole’s 28, the game’s top scorer.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS 98 – 123 SACRAMENTO KINGS

MIAMI HEAT 120 – 128 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

ATLANTA HAWKS 139 – 132 PHILADELPHIA SIXERS (OT)

The loss of Joel Embiid (who has been out in 5 of the last 7 games, a bad thing for a center so prone to injuries), took its toll on the Sixers, who have suffered their third consecutive defeat and are moving away from the most noble area of the Eastern Conference, without being able to access the first two spots and with the Pacers on their heels. Extra time ate the visitors despite the efforts of Tyrese Maxey (35 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals) and Tobias Harris (32 points and 10 rebounds). Trae Young was the best of the Hawks with 32, while Dejounte Murray and Jalen Johnson added 25 each, the latter adding 16 rebounds and 7 passes to the basket to the statistic.

CHICAGO BULLS 124 – 119 HOUSTON ROCKETS

The Bulls continue in their strangely good moment and have begun to add victories when the transfer rumors surrounding the squad have been most pronounced. They have won three consecutive games, four in the last five games, thus establishing themselves in the play in. Coby White had 30 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists; Zach LAVine 25+13+7, with 3 steals. Nikola Vucevic at 18+15. DeMar DeRozan with 19 points and Alex Caruso with 12. On the part of the Rockets, the effort of Alperen Sengun (25+9+5), the double-double of Jabari Smith (18+15), the 18 points of Jalen Green or Fred VanVleet’s 20 points, with 6 rebounds and 10 assists, were not enough to achieve the victory.

Follow the Diario AS channel on WhatsApp, where you will find all the sports keys of the day.

2024-01-11 06:31:23
#Nuggets #run #aground #Salt #Lake #City