David Adelman lauded the Denver Nuggets’ adaptability following their 106-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena. “Another guy gets hurt and we just played people at different positions and we just found a way to win the game,” he said.
The Nuggets coach reflected on the game-winning sequence and video review that overturned a late Raptors three-pointer. “I was really close to telling Spencer to get back to match up with him… we thought it wasn’t good,” Adelman explained.
Adelman highlighted the team’s ability to adjust without star center Nikola Jokic and other key players. “This is what it’s going to be… every night, just find a way to get to the fourth quarter, stay in the game, and in the NBA, when you’re in the game, you’ve got a great chance to win,” he said.
Backup Jonas Valanciunas left with a calf strain, but Adelman praised his performance. “He was great… 23 minutes, 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists… if he plays 32, probably looking at 25 and 12,” he noted.
The Nuggets coach also emphasized player poise under pressure. “He gives up the offensive rebounds, I didn’t see him put his head down… just kept playing. That’s the key in the NBA. You’re going to have moments that you get embarrassed… just go to the next play,” Adelman said.
Handling turnovers and the Raptors’ pressure were central to Denver’s strategy. “With guys out, 11 turnovers on the road against a team like that… if you don’t think so, watch the Golden State game… DaRon and all the guys, they were very responsible with the ball,” he said.
Adelman noted the performance of role players as crucial to the win. “Jalen was really good… shots he missed were really good looks… allowed us to have three ball handlers with Peyton, Jalen, and Jamal to complement Spencer and Jonas,” he said.
He addressed the challenges of late-game rotations and defensive matchups. “Extremely difficult… who’s guarding them, get a rebound… you trust the guys, their effort, their intention,” he said, emphasizing trust and accountability.
The Nuggets overcame a late Raptors rally and a near-overtime chance. Peyton Watson scored 24 points, Jamal Murray added 21, and Valanciunas contributed before his exit, allowing Denver to extend their winning streak against Toronto to five games.
Adelman concluded by stressing focus and resilience. “Find a way to win games. You’ve got to be really proud of that group,” he said, underlining the team’s ability to adapt and compete under challenging circumstances.
