The Denver Nuggets overcame significant injuries to top the Milwaukee Bucks 108-104 Sunday at Ball Arena, improving to 26-13 on the season.
Head coach David Adelman highlighted his team’s composure, saying, “When they made the run in the third quarter… there was no panic there. I thought the guys just stayed with it… that’s a sign of a team that thinks they should be in these games and they should win these games.”
Adelman praised the Nuggets’ defensive execution, noting, “Knowing what it takes to win a game… only nine turnovers, and if we can just get shots up, it gives you a chance to get back and load up on Giannis… you can win games with that effort.”
He also credited bench contributions, saying, “Tim Hardaway has 25 points, Zeke comes off the bench, he’s 14 and 10… these guys are NBA roster players for a reason… pure effort. I was really proud of the group.”
On the team’s rebounding strategy, Adelman explained, “We have to win the rebound with five people… if we can just create good enough shots, decent shots, we’ll be in the game… to outrebound that team is really cool on a night when Myles and Giannis are out there.”
Adelman praised individual performances, adding, “Just playing free, playing confident… Zeke’s role actually created corner three shots for other guys… when you play within yourself and have a cockiness to how you play, you’re in a really good spot.”
He discussed lineup decisions, noting, “I didn’t play DaRon tonight… but those guys played so well off the bench… plus 27, plus 15 for Bruce, plus 22 for Zeke… found a unit that can win the game.”
Adelman highlighted development and confidence-building, saying, “Having our best rotational players watch that game… complete buy-in by that group… it instills confidence in your better guys when they come back.”
Regarding veteran execution, Adelman said, “He’s got an incredible feel for when to screen and when to slip… one of the better out-of-timeout players in the league… a very underrated screener… just a blessing we got him this offseason.”
Denver competed without five of its top eight scorers, including Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but Tim Hardaway Jr. led all scorers with 25 points, Aaron Gordon added 23, Peyton Watson contributed 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Zeke Nnaji recorded his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, but the Bucks fell short after missing two game-tying threes in the final 20 seconds.
The Nuggets will continue their road trip against the Pelicans Tuesday, while the Bucks host the Timberwolves.
