NBA highlights on Mar. 28: Nuggets do not look good for playoffs

In an attention-grabbing NBA game on Thursday, the Houston Rockets claimed a 27-point victory against the visiting Denver Nuggets 112-85, winning three of their four games this season. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs held a retiring ceremony for the No. 20 jersey of their four-time champion member, Manu Ginobili at the AT T Center.

Nuggets have lethal weakness in both defense and offense

James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots in the game they win against the Denver Nuggets 112-85 at the Toyota enter, March 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

James Harden scored the court's most 38 points for Houston while Eric Gordon had 18 points thanks to the four three-pointers he buried. Clint Capela dropped a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds. Austin Rivers contributed 15 points off the bench,

Jamal Murray got Denver's highest 20 points while Nikola Jokic scored 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Gary Harris totaled 11 points and Monte Morris had 16 points.

James Harden #13 of the Rockets shoots in the game against the Nuggets, March 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

The 38 points Harden claimed at home made his career scoring 18,415 points, surpassing Tracy McGrady's 18,381 and Rick Barry's 18,395. His next target was Dolph Schayes and his 18,438 points.

It was clear that Nuggets had done their homework before Thursday's game. In the first quarter, they tried to take every chance to go for a fast break so they would not have to deal with the constant switching in defense. This plan worked, at least in Q1 as Denver led 25-22.

However, Denver's weakness in defense was too big for them to make up via small changes in the offense. First, the team's back-court was filled with guard-size players who were not strong enough either to take on Harden or edge through a screen. As a result, when Houston's ball handler, usually Harden, called a pick, the Nuggets often had to choose double team or switch.

James Harden #13 of the Rockets shoots in the game against the Nuggets, March 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

In either case, they were not able to stop Harden. When he was double teamed, Harden could pass the ball to open teammates. When Jokic was defending Harden after a switch, he was too slow to stop Harden's penetrating.

As the Rockets kept making three-pointers, the Nuggets lost easy points in transition. Moreover, since they had to pay more attention to the 3-pt line, Denver's paint became vulnerable, giving Capela the chance of putting up dunking practice. With a 40-19 in the second quarter, Houston regained the lead 62-44.

Jamal Murray #27 of the Nuggets handles the ball in the game against the Rockets, March 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Though Houston's offense returned normal in the second half as they scored only 25 points in both quarters, Denver's set offense was not good enough to break through the opponent's defense.

Like the Warriors, the Nuggets preferred to do tremendous give-and-go surrounding Jokic in the offense. Nonetheless, the Rockets stifled such play through a constant switch, leaving the opponent two options: isolation attack or three-pointer. Denver for the whole game made only four shots from the 3-pt line, meaning they had to abandon it as the solution. Moreover, unlike GSW, they did not have Kevin Durant who could score regardless of teammates and defense on him. This was why the team only scored 41 points (21 in Q3 and 20 in Q4) in the second half.

James Harden #13 of the Rockets blocks shot by Paul Milsap #4 of the Nuggets in the game, March 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Losing one regular season game was not a big deal for the Nuggets which were still No. 2 in the west and leading by three wins over the Trail Blazers and the Rockets. However, the above weakness in defense and offense of the team seemed to be lethal in the playoffs, considering who the Nuggets will meet.

Denver's first-round opponent will be one of the following teams: the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. Three of them are top defensive teams of the league while the Clippers could threaten any opponent with their intimidating offense. If the Nuggets cannot find their solution soon, the first round could mean last round for them in the playoffs.

Other games on Thursday included: (away teams come first)

Orlando Magic 98-115 Detroit Pistons

Brooklyn Nets 110-123 Philadelphia 76ers

Dallas Mavericks 99-105 Miami Heat

Toronto Raptors 117-92 New York Knicks

Los Angeles Clippers 118-128 Milwaukee Bucks

Sacramento Kings 118-121 New Orleans Pelicans

Cleveland Cavaliers 110-116 San Antonio Spurs