Paul Millsap

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It would’ve been easy for the Denver Nuggets to cave in during Game 5, accept defeat and return home. The team has been away from their families and friends for over two months, playing every 48 hours since the end of July. They have also dealt with mentally tolling situations, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the Black Lives Matter movement. All of the excuses were there. But Paul Millsap refused to allow it to interfere with the Nuggets’ playoff aspirations.   

 With the No. 3 Nuggets’ on the brink of elimination in the Western Conference semifinals against the second-seeded Los Angeles Clippers, the veteran broke out of his recent struggles to help the team rally back from 16 down with a dominant third quarter. Millsap would go on a tear immediately after halftime, missing just one of his five shots and constantly attacking the rim to help Denver pull out a 111-105 victory. Entering Friday’s matchup, Denver had struggled to get to the line, going just 18.2 times per game during the playoffs (last). Millsap’s aggression in that 12-minute stretch paid off as he went six times, converting on five attempts.  

 “He gave us life,” Nuggets lead guard Jamal Murray said after the game. 

 This is why the Nuggets relentlessly pursued Millsap as a free agent during the summer of 2017. The team already had plenty of young talent in Nikola Jokić, Murray, and Will Barton III among others. What the team needed to take the next step was leadership and Millsap has delivered since his arrival.  

READ MORE: Three takeaways from the Nuggets' Game 5 win

His veteran authority was apparent in the waning seconds of the first half. With 26 seconds remaining, Millsap and Marcus Morris were jostling for position for a rebound of a Jokić’s missed three-point attempt. Morris shoved Millsap in the back and started trash-talking. Millsap immediately got into the Clippers forward’s face. Although teammates and ultimately referees separated the two men, Millsap’s message was clear: They might be the favorites, but we’re not backing down without a fight. 

 “We’re not going to let these guys just come in and push us around,” Millsap explained after the game. “That’s what really sparked us. We want to prove a point that we’re not going to be bullied, we’re not going to be intimidated.” 

 Nuggets coach Michael Malone called it the “turning point of the game.” 

 “I think that was a huge play that nobody will probably talk about. You have a seasoned veteran who has had enough and wasn’t going to just sit there and take it,” Malone said. “He stood up and I thought his response to that situation really helped our team respond to that,” Malone said. “It kind of gave us a group toughness. That was a pivotal play.”   

 Millsap added: “It just changed our mentality. “I think if we add a bit more physicality to what we do, we’ll be alright [for the rest of the series].”  

It was a moment Millsap needed as well. A four-time All-Star who has averaged 14 points and 7.3 boards during a successful 14-year career, his recent struggles in the 2020 postseason had some observers questioning if he can still contribute at a high level. Before Friday’s game, Millsap was averaging 8.0 points, 3.9 rebounds while shooting 45.5 percent during the Nuggets’ current playoff run. 

 “I left my rhythm back in Denver,” Millsap said jokingly. “It [the altercation with Morris] kind of woke up me and I was able to get in my zone, get out there and just play.” 

 Millsap appeared in 996 regular season games and wrapped up his 112th postseason game in Game 5. He has had an accomplished career with memorable outings, including a career-high 46 points against the LeBron James and Dwyane Wade-led Heat in 2010. If there’s one he’s still searching for, it’s an NBA title. Throughout the offseason, Millsap extolled how this Nuggets team might give him one of his last real chances at winning a title and pointed to the talent of the team and the chemistry in the locker room as the reasons why.

  When the Nuggets fell to 3-1 for a second-straight playoff series, that opportunity appeared to be dwindling away. But after an impressive Game 5 victory, Millsap proved he still has enough in the tank to help the Nuggets get there.

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Paul Millsap’s veteran grit breathes new life into Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets (7-2) had a case of déjà vu as Nikola Jokić delivered in the clutch once again in a 100-98 win over the Timberwolves (5-4) in Minneapolis Sunday afternoon.

"This is just adding to the legend of Nikola Jokić," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said before later adding. "I didn't doubt it [the game-winner]. Even if it didn't [go in], I'm going to live with it because he's our best player. He's an MVP candidate for a reason. He's got two game-winners back-to-back, showing everybody why he's a special player. "  With 2.4 seconds remaining in overtime, Jokić received a kick out from Will Barton III and calmly swished a shot from the left elbow to secure the victory. It was another confident performance in consecutive games for the Serbian, who led the Nuggets with 20 points, seven assists and six boards. Minnesota’s star duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins paced the home team with 25 points apiece.   The Nuggets got to a strong offensive start as they went toe-to-toe with the home team to finish 27-27 after the opening 12 minutes. Jamal Murray was impressive early on as he hit his first four shots and had 15 points in the quarter. Jokić was also aggressive against Minnesota in the first quarter – scoring nine points on seven shots.  Barton III would cap a hard-fought second quarter with an almost miraculous three-point heave from past half court to keep the Nuggets’ deficit at 51-49 at the break.   Paul Millsap got the Nuggets rolling in the third quarter as the team opened with a 14-4 run against the T’Wolves. He hit his first two field goals of the night during the stretch and would go 4 of 5 in the quarter. Denver ended the quarter on a 11-1 run as it entered the final 12 minutes with a 76-64 advantage. The team’s defense held the home team to just 13 points in the third.   After falling behind by 16 points, Minnesota would make a run in the fourth quarter. The team went on a 16-0 run late and held Denver scoreless for over seven minutes. Towns hit a three to tie the game at 90. Murray had a chance to ice the game in the final nine seconds of the game, but his shot at the 0.4 second mark missed the rim.   In overtime, Jokić would end the Nuggets’ offensive struggles with a put back on a rebound at the 3:40 mark. Barton III would keep his teammates in the ballgame by hitting two clutch threes to give the team a lead. With the game tied at 98, Jokić iced the game to secure Denver’s fourth win in a row. 

"We have to be better in terms of playing with the league and closing games out," Malone stressed after the game. "That being said...We never panicked." 

He added, "I told our guys, 'It's hard to win in the NBA.' So we're 4-1 on the road and we beat a division opponent. There's a lot of things we can clean up, but overall the defense was great. I loved the togetherness, toughness and resiliency." 

The Nuggets now return to the Mile High City to take on the Hawks at Pepsi Center Tuesday.   Here are three takeaways:  Thrill and Joker in the clutch  Less than 48 hours from burying a game-winner against the 76ers, Jokić hit another from almost the same spot against the Timberwolves. 

"That's the shot I've worked and it seems like I can only make tough shots," Jokić said jokingly to Katy Winge after the game. "With the way the night was going, I thought I was going to shoot an airball."   This is the second-straight assertive game from the Nuggets’ center as he took 23 shots on Sunday after taking 22 on Friday. Despite only shooting 39.1 percent Sunday, it was encouraging to see Jokić fight through earlier struggles to secure the Nuggets' result. He wasn’t alone in delivering for the Nuggets in crunch time, however.   Barton III had a strong overtime, playing hard on both sides for the Nuggets as he collected two crucial rebounds for the team in the quarter. He would finish the game with 13 points and 12 rebounds, continuing his strong start to the season. 

"He's such a complete player," Malone said. "WIll had it going and I wanted Will and Nikola to make the play. Will found him and Nikola took care of the rest. Right now, Will is playing at a high level for us."  Microwave Paul   Millsap was 0-of-4 with zero points, four rebounds and a block in the first half. He made up for it with a monster third quarter. The 34-year-old sparked Denver with strong plays on both sides of the court and had 14 points and five rebounds in the 12-minute stretch. Millsap put the Target Center on notice as he turned back the clock with a thunderous slam on Jake Layman, yelling loudly after the play. 

"Just playing basketball and trying to be aggressive," Millsap said. "I sensed that I needed to go strong with the ball...I put an emphasis, especially on that play, to go up strong and finish."   After a slow start to the season, Millsap has been quietly picking up momentum over his past six games. Entering Sunday’s contest, Millsap had averaged 13.4 points and 7.0 rebounds in just 25.2 minutes in his last five games. He is also hitting 57.1 percent from downtown in that stretch. In Minnesota, Millsap’s highly-efficient scoring proved pivotal in the Nuggets’ win.   Defensive remains dominant  The Nuggets imposed their brand of basketball to ensure the T’wolves, one of the top offensive teams in the league, wouldn’t get into rhythm.   Prior to Sunday’s game, Minnesota was the NBA’s quickest team with a 108.8 pace rating (1st) and the fourth-best scoring team in the NBA, averaging 117.8 points per game. The team was also eighth in made threes per game (12.3). The Nuggets held Timberwolves to under 100 points Sunday, despite playing five quarters. More impressively, Denver kept Minnesota largely quiet on threes as the home team hit 6-of-45 shooting from downtown. 

"Overall, the defense is what held us in this game," Malone said. 

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Denver Nuggets 100, Minnesota Timberwolves 98 (OT): Three takeaways

Eric Spyropoulos

Last season, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Dallas Mavericks at Pepsi Center on a buzzer-beater from Nikola Jokić. In the first matchup between the two teams in the 2019-20 season, the game once again came down to the wire. Ultimately, the Mavericks were able to hand Denver its first loss of the season, 109-106.

"We have to be better with our fourth-quarter execution," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said. "I give them credit because they defended us well, but we had three opportunities to tie or take the lead. I give them credit, and now we have to get ready for New Orleans and Orlando on the road."

Denver (3-1) jumped out to a quick start, as Paul Millsap had his way from all areas of the floor. The veteran forward dropped 11 points in the quarter and the Nuggets grabbed an early 16-5 lead. However, the Mavericks (3-1) responded with impressive 3-point shooting to get back into the game. Seth Curry hit two threes in the frame and Dallas knocked down five as a team. The Nuggets took a 31-27 lead into the second quarter.

The Nuggets expanded on their lead to open the second quarter, as Monte Morris dropped six quick points as Denver took a 44-35 lead after the first four minutes of the frame. Dallas responded with a 12-1 to take a brief lead, but Denver’s starters came back into the game and went on a run to re-gain the lead. The two teams battled back-and-forth to end the half, as Denver took a 61-60 lead into the break.

A quick 10-2 run by the Nuggets extended their lead to 71-62. Denver’s defense tightened up to begin the quarter, while Jamal Murray scored four consecutive points. Denver withstood several runs from Dallas to take an 88-83 lead into the final quarter.

The Mavericks went on a 12-4 run to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. Dallas knocked down back-to-back and-ones during the run, while Denver’s second unit struggled to generate quality looks each time down the floor. As the starters came back in, the Nuggets regained some momentum with several defensive stops and a key 3-pointer from Millsap.

The game came down to the final minute, as the Nuggets’ increased activity on both ends brought them within one point. A key goaltending call on Maxi Kleber was reversed on a challenge from Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, which preserved Dallas’ lead. Ultimately, Denver’s offense came up short in a potential game-tying possession, as Dallas was able to escape with the win.

Here are some takeaways from Denver’s first loss of the season:

Will Barton III had his best game of the season

After reclaiming his spot in the starting lineup to start the season, Barton III has continued to work his way into an offensive groove. In Tuesday’s loss, the veteran forward was at his best, with 19 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes of action.

Barton III’s activity on the glass was crucial for Denver, as he even added four offensive rebounds to the mix. The 28-year-old provides Malone with another ball-handler and shooter in the starting lineup, while his improv-like style of play can make him a difficult guard for the opposition.

The other most experienced forward in the Nuggets rotation had himself a game on Tuesday. Millsap finished with 23 points and eight rebounds, and more importantly, bothered Kristaps Porzingis on the defensive end when the two matched up. Although Denver added Jerami Grant in the offseason, Millsap still provides a physical presence on the defensive end and has the defensive awareness to anchor the team on that end of the floor.

"I just wanted to be aggressive," Millsap said following the game. "That was my mindset coming into tonight, especially knowing it was the second night of a back-to-back."

Millsap’s put-back dunk late in the fourth quarter energized the Pepsi Center crowd and showcased the athleticism that the veteran still has.

On the season, Millsap has connected on 46.7 percent of his 3-pointers, which is a welcome sign for Denver’s offense.

Unlike Denver’s previous games to start the season, the second unit wasn’t able to build on leads against Dallas. All five players off the bench for the Nuggets finished with a negative plus-minus, while the Mavericks’ bench unit thrived with ball movement.

In the end, Dallas finished with 61 bench points, compared to just 22 for the Nuggets. Denver’s depth will be a strength throughout the season, but on the second night of a back-to-back, it wasn’t able to fuel the Nuggets to what would’ve been their fourth consecutive win on the season.

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Denver Nuggets 106, Dallas Mavericks 109: Three takeaways

The Nuggets (3-0) were the NBA’s best team on the second night of back-to-backs last season, a trend they hope will continue when they face the Dallas Mavericks (2-1) in their first back-to-back of the 2019-20 campaign.   Denver was 12-1 on the second night of consecutive games and hosts a team it swept last season. However, Dallas has shown the potential of being a vastly-improved group this season thanks to Kristaps Porzingis finally seeing some action for the team after a midseason trade last campaign. It also doesn’t hurt to have 2019 Rookie of the Year in Luka Dončić. The Mavericks come into the matchup as the 10th best scoring offense in the NBA, averaging 116.7 points per game.   Denver is fresh off another gritty performance, sealing a 101-94 victory against the Kings in Sacramento Monday. The team’s offense hasn’t yet reached the levels of last season, but its defense certainly has a case for being one of the NBA’s best. Michael Malone, a defensive-minded head coach, has to be ecstatic to see his team third in the league in blocked shots (7.0 per game), fourth in opponent scoring (100.3), top five in both opponent field goal (40.2) and three-point percentage (29.0) and eighth in defensive rating (100.3).   It should be an exciting battle between offense and defense at the Pepsi Center Tuesday (7 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, RADIO: KKSE 92.5FM/950AM).  Projected Nuggets starters: Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton, Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokić  Here are three storylines to watch for:   Containing Dončić and Porzingis   The Mavs gamble in trading for a still-recovering Porzingis last season appears to be paying off this campaign with Dallas now possessing a potent inside-out duo.   Dončić is picking up where he left off last season. In the Mavs opening three games of the season, the Slovenian is averaging a stellar 29.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.3 steals. That’s a sizable jump from his first season in the league where he averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists.   The 6-foot-8 Dončić typically starts at point guard but will shift through positions one to three in games, creating mismatches for opposing defenses. Jalen Brunson and Delon Wright often take on the defensive responsibilities of guarding point and shooting guards. For the Nuggets to contain the sophomore guard, utilizing a combination of different looks against him – ranging from Gary Harris to Torrey Craig – could be beneficial. Last season, Dončić averaged a double-double against Denver, going for 23.5 points and 10.5 assists, but shot 39.5 in two losses.   The Nuggets have a new challenge to deal with in Porzingis. The former Knicks star was shut down last season due to injury, but he’s had success against Denver in the past. In the 2017-18 season, the Latvian big man was dominant as the Knicks and Nuggets split the season series. Porzingis averaged 29.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 50 percent in that series.   Porzingis is menacing due to his great athleticism at 7-foot-3 and the ability to hit threes. He’s also a superb finisher around the basket and can block shots, per game for his career. He comes into Tuesday’s game averaging 26.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.7 blocks and the Nuggets might need to use a combination of Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee to slow him down.    Improving the offense  The Nuggets have been edging opponents thanks to their improvement on the defensive end, but sooner or later they’ll need their offense to get going if they want to be a contender this season.   The Nuggets are currently 21st in the NBA in scoring, averaging 105.7 points per game. Their struggles of finishing at the rim have been concerning as they are 30th in the NBA at converting field goals on drives at 34.3 percent. Considering it was also a problem during the semifinals of the 2019 playoffs, as the team shot 41 percent, finding ways to better execute around the rim will likely be a priority for Malone and his coaching staff.   Part of it could be down to Denver taking a step back on assists. Last season, the team was second in the league, averaging 27.4 dimes a game. This campaign, the Nuggets are 21st in that category, dishing out 21.3 per game. Better ball movement could mean more efficient looks around the rim and drives.   On a positive note, Denver has shown a lot of growth in three point shooting this season – an area Malone emphasized throughout training camp. The team is eighth in three point percentage, shooting 36.8 percent.   Can Millsap continue his dominance vs. Mavericks?  Millsap hasn’t gotten in rhythm yet this season, averaging 9.5 points and 3.5 rebounds on 42.9 percent shooting, but that could change quickly when the Mavs visit the Pepsi Center.   Millsap had a lot of success against Dallas, dominating in two of the three games during the season series (he missed one due to injury). He averaged 25 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 60.6 percent against the Mavericks last season. It’s a perfect opportunity for one of the Nuggets’ core players to get going.

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Preview: Denver Nuggets hope to go 4-0 when they host Dallas Mavericks Tuesday

PORTLAND – The Trail Blazers had won their last 18 home openers, but the Nuggets ensured on Wednesday the streak, an NBA record, wouldn’t extend to 19.

Denver survived a nightmare opening five minutes where it trailed by 12 points to edge Portland 108-100 in a thriller in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at Moda Center. The Nuggets were led by Nikola Jokić, who got past a foul-plagued start to lead the Nuggets with 20 points to go along with 13 rebounds on 8-for-14 shooting. Will Barton also appeared to be at his best as he contributed to the win with 19 points and five boards. Portland’s Damian Lillard led all scorers with 32 points and added eight assists and four rebounds.

"Nikola's third and fourth quarter were phenomenal, he showed everyone why he's an MVP-caliber player," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said after the game. 

Denver’s ability to convert from downtown, going 18 of 32, was the difference for  Malone’s team. It also out-assisted Portland 24-13.

"Especially [in] the fourth quarter, we had a lot of threes early on that helped us bounce back and give us the lead," Jamal Murray said. 

The Nuggets return to the Mile High City and will host their home opener against the Phoenix Suns (1-0) on Friday. 

"Hell of a win, they've [the Blazers] won 18-straight openers here so to come in here, against a division rival [with] a win on the road to start the year off, [we] couldn't ask for a better start," Malone said. 

Murray and Jokić struggled to find their footing early, but they made up for it in crunch time.

Through the first three quarters of the game, the Nuggets’ star duo combined for just 11 points on 4-for-15 shooting. They responded in the final 12 minutes of the game with a 22-point outburst.

Prior to Wednesday’s game, Malone expressed a desire for his All-NBA first team center to return to form from behind the arc and Jokić responded. The Serbian hit all of three of his 3-pointers in the fourth quarter en route to a 15-point, eight-rebound quarter.

Murray shot 2 of 4 in the fourth and was part of a hounding defensive effort on Portland’s star guard Damian Lillard in the opening 24 minutes. Lillard had a quiet first half, scoring nine points on 3-of-8 shooting.

The Nuggets won’t look back at their opening five minutes of the season too fondly. Jokić picked three fouls in just over four minutes and Denver shot 2 of 13 to start the game. In front of a passionate and loud Blazers fan base, things could’ve snowballed rapidly after the Blazers gained a 19-7 advantage. Yet, one-by-one, the Nuggets substitutes steadied the ship as they provided a spark on both ends of the floor.

It all started with Mason Plumlee. Now in his fourth year as the Nuggets’ backup center, Plumlee’s familiarity with the offense proved crucial as he served as a frontcourt facilitator for his teammates. The 29-year-old ignited the team’s 9-0 run to cut the score to 19-16 as he assisted on back-to-back 3-pointers made by Malik Beasley and Jerami Grant. Plumlee would finish the quarter with five dimes.

"Five assists and no turnovers, I thought Mase was great," Malone said. "Mason was a starter here [in Portland] on a playoff team, he was a starter in Brooklyn on a playoff team. He's a hell of a player and he's really important for us. He went out there and did his job." 

Torrey Craig also proved vital for Denver as the small forward led the second unit in scoring with 10 points. The 29-year-old hit timely threes for the Nuggets in both the second and third quarters when it appeared the Blazers would be going on a scoring run. Craig has earned the trust of the Nuggets coaching staff on defense, but it’s his play on the other side of the court that will determine his playing time this season. He got off to a good start Wednesday and he was a big reason why Denver’s bench outscored Portland’s 36-19.

"It's a great weapon to have, and the reality is I have guys even after those bench guys that can come in," Malone said. "I love our depth and I love the group of guys we have but we still have a lot of work to do." 

Malone stressed improved three-point shooting would be the key to the Nuggets’ offense taking another step forward back in training camp. He won’t be disappointed by what he saw from his players on that end. The Nuggets set a new franchise Opening Night record as the team hit 18 triples.

Murray, Jokić and Paul Millsap all hit three 3-pointers and eight players overall converted on at least one attempt from in the Nuggets’ win.

"We want to be more aggressive on three point shots," Millsap explained. "We have a lot of guys who can shoot it well. It will open up a lot of things for us." 

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Denver Nuggets 108, Portland Trail Blazers 100: Three Takeaways

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Scenes from Nuggets shootaround: Oct. 17, 2019

It might have been just preseason, but the Nuggets showcased why they feel confident in their team for the 2019-20 season in a 105-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Veterans Coliseum.

Paul Millsap had a game-high 14 points on 66.7 percent shooting to go along with five rebounds and two steals. Jerami Grant, the Nuggets top acquisition of the offseason, looks a seamless fit in his first game with the team, dropping 13 points, three rebounds and two blocks in the victory. And Michael Porter Jr. made his long-anticipated debut after an essentially red-shirted 2018-19 season. Portland was led by Mario Hezonja, who had 12.

READ MORE: Twitter goes wild for MPJ's debut

Denver’s defense impressed throughout the game as it held Portland to 34.1 percent shooting, including just 20 percent from downtown. The Nuggets now travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Thursday.

“Like most preseason games, I thought there was a lot of good things and a lot of things we need to clean up,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters after the game. “We did some good things and a lot of guys got a chance to play. That was also a positive.”

Porter Jr. has waited almost 572 days to get back on a basketball court for an official game. It finally happened Tuesday night as he checked in at 4:30 mark in the third quarter.

Porter Jr. received a round of applause from the Portland crowd and rust didn’t appear to be a factor when he checked in. Within his first minute of action, Porter Jr. received the ball from behind the arc, drove in and did a step back from just inside the arc to convert his first bucket. The Nuggets bench went wild, clearly enjoying the moment that was essentially 18 months in the making.

“To finally be out on the court, it’s such a blessing,” Porter Jr. told Altitude Radio 92.5 FM after the game.

The rookie forward, who was drafted with the No. 14 pick in the 2018 draft, finished the game with nine points and three rebounds on 57.1 shooting in 17 minutes. As exciting as Porter Jr.’s first preseason game was, he will need to gain more familiarity with the Nuggets’ concepts on both sides of the floor if he wants to secure a consistent spot in Malone’s rotation.

“My biggest takeaway is he’s got to give the defensive end just as much attention to detail as he does on the offensive end,” Malone said. “He’s a gifted scorer and he can make big, big shots in tough spots but he’s got to be locked in on defensive end. If he does that, he’s got an chance to be an excellent player.”

Overall, Porter Jr. displayed the natural scoring ability and athleticism that made him arguably the best high school player in the nation just two years ago.

“Going into tonight, I know there were a lot of expectations on me,” Porter Jr. said. “I didn’t get in until the third quarter and I was thinking I’m going to go out there and have fun. I haven’t been on a basketball court for a while, so it felt good.”

Both the experienced Millsap and the emerging Grant impressed in the Nuggets’ preseason opener, as the pair alternated to showcase a tantalizing mix of skillsets. Millsap showed an unrelenting craftiness in the low post and was equally as deadly from behind the arc – going 2-for-2.

Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly has long coveted Grant and the 25-year-old shined in his first action as a Nugget. Grant’s ability to get end to end quickly and impact both sides of the floor with his athleticism will be a welcome addition this season and his three-point shot was as advertised as he hit 3-of-5 from behind the arc.

 The fact that both men are solid defenders and have unique skills on offense provides Malone with opportunities to tinker with matchups and alter the Nuggets style of play when needed. The coach also provided another wrinkle to consider as he played both men together at the end of the second quarter in a small-ball lineup. The pair sparked an 8-2 run to finish the quarter and give Denver a 52-50 lead heading into halftime. It will be fascinating to see how the pair is utilized throughout the season.

The Nuggets won’t be happy with their overall assist-to-turnover ratio (0.8), but Monte Morris’ steady hand remained in a strong preseason opener. The team’s sixth man and reserve unit facilitator was active Tuesday, scoring 12 and adding four assists. More importantly, the 24-year-old showed an assertiveness in wanting to drive into the lane to create opportunities or earn trips to the line (he shot 3 of 3 from the charity stripe).

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Denver Nuggets 105-94 Portland Trail Blazers: Three takeaways from preseason opener

What a difference a year makes.   Entering last season’s Media Day, the Nuggets were focused on putting heartbreak behind them and ending a five-year postseason drought. On Monday, it was clear the expectations are a lot higher for this campaign.   "A championship should be our goal,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said in his press conference. “Our goal should not be to get back to the Western Conference semifinals. Our goal should not be to just get to the Finals because you'd be selling yourself short. Yes, it's a lofty goal. But I want our guys to have a championship mentality.”  The trickle-down effect of Malone’s comments appeared to be evident in the Nuggets locker room as several players spoke confidently about bringing the Larry O'Brien trophy to the Mile High City.   “Why couldn’t we [win the title],” Gary Harris said. “That’s our mentality. With the way the NBA is, I feel like everything is up for grabs right now.”   The 25-year-old Harris, the longest-tenured Nuggets, entering his sixth season, has been in Denver since the start of the team’s rebuild that eventually saw Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap join him and help form its core. He’s seen the team go from winning 30 games his rookie year to tying the second-highest win total in franchise history last season with 54 victories.

“Playoffs that was the most fun any of us had had,” Harris said. “So, it’s like we want to get back to the playoffs. We’re not satisfied [with what we did last season].”   After years of being out of the playoff picture, Harris appreciates the Nuggets having some pressure this season.   “You want to have expectations,” Harris said. “We want to expect to go far. We want people to expect us to be a good team. We’re not trying to shy away from anything.”   He added, “We have a team that caught a lot of people by surprise last season. People thought we could be good but didn’t really know [about us]. We know we can be there. We’re not shying away from that. We’re going to compete and battle and go against the best of them.”   Harris wasn’t the only Nugget who was bullish on the team’s chances this season.   Malik Beasley, Harris’s backup at shooting guard, also agreed.   “[There are] championship expectations,” Beasley said. “We had a lot of experience last year, two Game 7s and we’re all young. That was huge for us to be thrown into the fire. Each year, we improve every year. So, having the same team, having the same core is a blessing. I think we’re going to run away with that.”   Although there is plenty of excitement over the team’s chances, some players took more of a measured approach in discussing how far the Nuggets can go this season.   “We won’t be surprising anyone,” Will Barton said. “We have to accept and embrace that challenge now that we’re respected as a good team, a dangerous team in the league. So, we have to be ready to take team’s best shots from the beginning.”   But overall, based on Monday’s sentiments, the Nuggets are happy to project some confidence heading into the season. The normally-reserved Paul Millsap is looking forward to this campaign. After playing on several playoff teams throughout his 14-year career, he believes this group could be on the verge of something special this year.   “This year, I’ve got a stacked team. I’ve got a lot of young guys who are ready for this moment,” Millsap said. “So that gives me confidence and gives me an edge over the last few teams that I played for…I think we can overcome any of those situations [other contending teams].”  Millsap then said, “I think as far as talent-wise [this is the best team I’ve played on], for sure.”

denver-nuggets-embracing-nba-title-aspirations

Denver Nuggets embracing NBA title aspirations

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