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Michael Malone is plainly disgusted with how the Denver Nuggets have performed in their humiliating 124-103 loss against the Houston Rockets. 

The Tuesday matchup could have been the perfect chance for Denver to finally clinch the top spot of the Western Conference heading to the postseason, but the club fell disappointingly.

“Really disappointed in terms of our effort and approach tonight. … We had the chance to clinch number one tonight, and we talked about it this morning – the opportunity at hand,” coach Malone said in postgame. “We definitely did not take that opportunity seriously because the way we played tonight is unacceptable.

“If that’s how we’re going to play, we’ll be out of first round. Easy, easy.”

With superstar Nikola Jokic finally back from three games of absence due to calf issues, the Nuggets failed to capitalize on their position in the standings upon facing a young Rockets team that owns the worst record in their Conference.

Houston terrorized the boards, outlasting Denver in rebounding numbers (55-47). They also utilized a balanced attack, as seven different players tallied double-digits in scoring with Jalen Green leading the way using his efficient 32-point outing.

“When we don’t do our jobs, there’s accountability, and I speak the truth,” Malone added. “I just called our team ‘soft,’ and I dared someone to challenge me. No one did, because we as a group were soft tonight. I’m not saying we are soft, but tonight, we were.”

The Nuggets had a disappointing final frame, allowing the Rockets to blaze for a 16-4 run in the first five minutes of the quarter. They went on to cap off the game, outscored heavily, 38-18, failing to respond as the momentum took a shift to the home team.

Though Jokic’s passiveness became a factor, Jamal Murray’s untimely exit due to a thumb injury ultimately shut the door for the Nuggets as they went on to miss their lead scoring unit.

“The guys that were available, we didn’t get the job done. Myself included,” Malone said. “This is not me against my players. This is us, winning together, losing together. We as a collective unit did a poor job tonight.”

With three games left on their schedule, Denver’s window remains open to capture their Conference’s top seed. They will take on the Phoenix Suns this Thursday.