Starting the game off the Nuggets came out seeming ready to go to war with a young and restless team in the Lakers. Both teams started out playing pretty decent defense, the Lakers even lead at a few points in the first quarter, mostly from the production by Jordan Clarkson, a deadly shooter who started out the season behind D'Angelo Russell but started tonight. Though the Lakers looked early like they came to play there play diminished dramatically once the Nuggets began to tick behind Jokic and Barton, who together combined for 40 points, 10 assists, 11 rebounds at the end of the game. But this night was all about" the Joker", as this was Jokic's first game on National Television and broadcasters jumped on the opportunity to showcase him as his stardom rises. Clearly Jokic is one of the best Centers in the League at this point, but it's really nice to see him get that credibility from Big names like Shaq, and Derek Fisher who Broadcasted the game. During the Broadcast Shaq went on record saying Jokic is the "Full Package", with his ability to score, dribble, rebound, just about everything. But it wasn’t all talk, the big man was producing while the praise continued, he finished the night with 18 points, 4 assists and 9 rebounds, just one away from his 30th double-double in the season. I guess we'll have to wait until the Clippers for that.
Like most recent games by the Denver Nuggets this was a very productive game. By the 3rd quarter all starters had more than 10 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds. Of course this was a blowout game and it did seem like the Lakers had given up pretty much at Halftime, so excessive production is expected, but this team looked so good and they are looking better and better every game they get closer to the playoffs. One player who really took my attention though was Mason Plumlee, as it seem like he has officially established himself in the rotation and in the team. He was flying high with nearly all his baskets being dunks, which is fine with me as they are the highest percentage shot a big man can take. Gallinari also had a great game as he continues with probably the best season he's had since his early Knick and Nuggets days. This team is prime and ready for the Playoffs, and interestingly enough it seems from a Kenneth Faried Sideline report as though they're hoping they face off against the dreaded Warriors, as the scars from the last Nuggets playoff appearance are still are still visible and they look to get revenge. I love the way they look forward to the challenge rather than most team in this situation, most teams under the Nuggets would love to be in the 8th spot come Playoff time, but I doubt any are as willing and ready to accept that challenge as the Nuggets are right now.
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