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00:00Part of the nation's capital, the Denver Nuggets take their show on the road for the first of three games in four nights.
00:07Less than a week ago, these two teams met in Denver, with Jamal Murray and Tim Hardaway Jr. propelling the Nuggets to victory.
00:17Tonight, they meet again, this time in D.C.
00:21It's the Nuggets and the Wizards, and it's next on Altitude Sports on 9 News.
00:30The nation's capital, Washington, D.C., famous for its rich history, iconic monuments, world-class museums.
00:52Tonight, we are at the Capital One Center, getting ready to shoot some hoops.
00:56The Denver Nuggets taking on the Washington Wizards.
01:02Hi, everybody. Welcome. Chris Marlowe, Katie Winge, Scott Hastings, Road Warriors.
01:06That's what the Denver Nuggets have been, winning 17 of their first 24 away from Ball Arena.
01:12Can they keep it up?
01:13Well, a key to that success has been the offense that they've been able to travel with, scoring 122.5 points per game.
01:18But it gets even more challenging now because you have five back-to-backs in the month of January.
01:22It starts tonight where you have three games in four days.
01:26We go from here, we go to Milwaukee, then Memphis, Scottie.
01:29And then Mother Nature says, hey, I want to play basketball, too.
01:32And then all of a sudden, you're going to spend the night in Milwaukee.
01:34And now all of a sudden, you've got to fly out of Milwaukee to try to beat a winter storm into Memphis.
01:39So everything they could possibly go through to start the season, they've gone through.
01:42Well, great news for Denver Nuggets fans.
01:45A big man is back in action.
01:47It's Jonas Valanciunas.
01:48He missed 11 games.
01:50How much can we expect from him?
01:51Well, it's going to be a big lift, both physically on the floor and in terms of statistics, I believe, for the Denver Nuggets.
01:57With Jonas Valanciunas coming back, Scott, you actually have a center for this Denver Nuggets team.
02:02It allows them to play their style of basketball a little bit better.
02:05He'll be big on the boards and big as a screener.
02:07Well, the last 12 games, 10 of them, they've lost the rebounding.
02:13All 12 of them, they've lost points in the paint.
02:15David said before the game, they didn't have a post-up presence.
02:18You got one tonight.
02:19Absolutely.
02:19Well, last time these two teams got together, Jamal Murray and Tim Hardaway Jr.
02:24torched the Wizards for 72 points.
02:27I'd like to see that again tonight.
02:28Well, yeah, and you had two shot makers making a whole lot of shots for Denver, especially when they needed them most.
02:33They combined for 10, made threes.
02:35They scored at all three levels.
02:37Finding different ways to help the Nuggets win that game.
02:39And Jamal Murray, we know this about him.
02:41When the moment is big, he becomes even bigger.
02:44That's when he steps up for this Denver Nuggets team.
02:45He had 16 points in the fourth quarter alone at home less than a week ago against the Wizards.
02:50Yeah, and listen, Tim struggled shooting the basketball a little bit in the Lakers game,
02:54but he has been fantastic, including in that game Saturday, which it looked like they were maybe going to get that game away at home.
03:00And then all of a sudden, the fourth quarter came around.
03:03He had 15.
03:03Murray had 16.
03:04They just lit up the Wizards in that fourth quarter.
03:07All right, here we go.
03:09Second meeting of the year between these two teams.
03:11Nuggets won the first.
03:13Trying to get a sweep here tonight.
03:15When we come back, we'll talk about the Nuggets' road success.
03:19How good has it been?
03:21We'll break it down for you.
03:22The Toyota Tip-Off is next.
03:31Denver Nuggets basketball on Altitude Sports is brought to you by the Colorado Honda dealers.
03:36Visit your local Colorado Honda dealers today.
03:39By Intermountain Health, helping people live the healthiest lives possible.
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04:03Nuggets in the nation's capital tonight.
04:06Big bow back in the lineup.
04:09Finally, a center returns for the first time in nearly a month.
04:14He will start for the Nuggets.
04:15We'll see how many minutes he goes.
04:17Vic Lombardi, Chris Dempsey, it's good to have him back.
04:20But one thing's for sure.
04:22Nuggets on the road are a different team.
04:23They are tied with OKC for the most road wins in the NBA.
04:2717 and counting.
04:28That's pretty darn good.
04:30Yeah, look at this.
04:31This is the home road splits this year.
04:34You know, 12 and 8 at home.
04:35I think there's injuries and other things that are happening at home.
04:38But the road has been really, really good.
04:39And I think when you're talking about road success, you have to have a couple of ingredients.
04:44One, you have to have really good players.
04:46And the Nuggets have that, regardless of who is in or out of the lineup.
04:50But part two, veteran teams tend to understand a whole lot more how to handle themselves in road environments,
04:57getting themselves through adversity and getting themselves to the finish line.
05:00And you're not adversely affected by road PA announcers.
05:05Yeah, that's true.
05:06You can handle that kind of stuff.
05:07You can handle it.
05:08Nuggets and Wizards, up next, tip-off on Altitude Sports and Channel 20 here in Denver.
05:16Now, what's the point?
05:19Hardaway.
05:20And out down.
05:22Hardaway making it look easy.
05:24Yes!
05:26Oversaw!
05:28Nice play, Jabal Murray.
05:30At ramming speed.
05:32And we welcome you inside the Capital One Arena.
05:39The crowd filling in slowly.
05:41Massive traffic jam outside.
05:43We're getting ready for the Denver Nuggets and the Washington Wizards.
05:48Here are tonight's starting lineups presented by Intermountain Health.
05:51For Denver Nuggets, Jamal Murray, Jalen Pickett.
05:55The big news, Jonas Valanciunas back at the center position.
05:59Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson rounding it out.
06:04Meanwhile, for the Wizards, Bub Carrington, Trey Johnson with Alex Saar.
06:09Chris Middleton, the veteran, and Keyshawn George up front.
06:13Jonas Valanciunas cleared.
06:15He missed 11 games.
06:17You might know he played 49 games with Washington last year and was traded to Sacramento where he played 32.
06:24But, Jonas, given the green light, Scott.
06:26Well, that's good news.
06:27Still going to be on a minute's restriction, and they're going to watch that.
06:30I mean, that cap is a funny, funny thing.
06:33So, he's been building up.
06:35You've seen him out at warm-ups starting to do more and more.
06:37Tonight, he's getting into real action.
06:40Oh, Aaron Gordon is starting alongside Valanciunas.
06:44Valanciunas was some question about that with Peyton Watson.
06:47So, up front, a good look at Bub Carrington.
06:49He'll be handling the guard position and doing a little point guard distributing.
06:55So, now the Nuggets have it.
06:57Kevin Cutler, Andrew Negi, and Suyash Mehta are the officials tonight.
07:03Around the screen, give the ball to Valanciunas, and he scores right away.
07:07Valanciunas.
07:08Oh, good pick and roll.
07:09Hey, Dippers lead the game with points to Peyton.
07:12So, Valanciunas, good to have him back.
07:1633 years old from Lithuania.
07:22Wizards, young and fast.
07:24They're the youngest team in the NBA.
07:25The baseline jumper is no good, and Gordon's got the rebound.
07:29Gordon's been playing center for the last five games.
07:31Glad to get out of that.
07:3318 points, four rebounds, five assists, and the loss to the Lakers.
07:37Pickett handoff.
07:38Gordon shoots a three, and nails it.
07:42Good start for Denver.
07:43Good move on the offense.
07:45The offense got a little stagged in that second half.
07:48Dayton, that'll be talking about a freaking eight.
07:50Too much one-on-one.
07:51Having that Peyton presence.
07:54Now Middleton blocked.
07:55Peyton Watson was there.
07:57Well, Watson, who is the Denver Nuggets' leading shot blocker,
08:04getting out there just in time.
08:05Got to be careful not to foul in that situation.
08:08Peyton doing a nice job there.
08:1012 on the shot clock.
08:12Middleton going to try it again.
08:13He does.
08:14That's no good, and Valanciunas has the rebound.
08:16Nuggets 29 and 15 overall.
08:20Third in the West.
08:21They're one game back of San Antonio, who plays at Utah tonight.
08:25Now Valanciunas in the lane, and he is fouled.
08:28I don't think the Wizards have anybody the physical stature of Big Val.
08:32How do they deal with it?
08:33Well, here's the interesting thing, right?
08:34You just played these two teams, played five, six days ago.
08:37And you think, okay, this is the style.
08:39This is how Denver's going to play.
08:40And then all of a sudden, you come back a week later.
08:43Wait a minute.
08:43Now you've got a seven-foot dude in the middle of the post,
08:45and they've already gone to him for a layup on a pick-and-roll.
08:49And now you roll him a little bit, post him up,
08:50and he gets in the free-toll line.
08:52You saw Brian Keith.
08:54He is the coach for the Washington Wizards in his third season.
08:58Has the youngest team in the league.
09:00As we mentioned, they've got 10 players on their roster 22 years or younger.
09:06So a challenging year.
09:08Wizards just 10 and 32 overall, 14th in the East.
09:12Now, Valanchunas, what a delight to have him back.
09:16Paying some dividends early as the Nuggets lead 7-0.
09:22Bub Carrington, low-range, got it.
09:25They're not afraid to come off the screen.
09:27That was quick, no hesitation.
09:29They don't shoot great from three, just 35.5%.
09:33Streaky, they'll shoot a lot of them.
09:34But they'll shoot them.
09:35They sure will.
09:36They're not deterred by that.
09:37They've got to be aggressive.
09:40There it is right there.
09:41Pickett, dish it to Val, and Valanchunas is fouled.
09:45Well, I saw that coming on the screen defensively.
09:47That was going to be a seam.
09:48I'm glad Pickett playing downhill, playing aggressive.
09:53I used to tell when I coached high school, I said, listen, here's our play,
09:55and this is what's designed to do.
09:57But look at that seam open up right there.
09:59Asar comes over late, which just opens that lane,
10:02and two more free throws for Big Val.
10:05So Jonas Valanchunas, he had only missed four games in the last four years prior to this season.
10:13And the 11th.
10:15Back just over three weeks, a quick recovery for Val.
10:19Been gone for 11 games, and already he's got six points in the first two minutes back.
10:2411 straight games without a player, 6'11 or taller.
10:29The Nuggets surviving well.
10:329-3 Denver.
10:42Good break.
10:44Off Gordon.
10:45Oh, and it went in.
10:47Off Gordon's head.
10:49Asar, I think, actually lost it.
10:51It just deflected off of Gordon, who's kind of coming down the court laughing, smiling about it.
10:57Saar having a good year.
10:5817 points per game.
10:59He's the leading shot blocker in the NBA.
11:03Now Watson is in the lane.
11:04Got a little skip there.
11:05No.
11:06Valanchunas rejected.
11:08Seven on the shot clock.
11:09Got to go.
11:09Got to go.
11:11And the Valanchunas, does he know it?
11:13Got to turn and shoot.
11:14He does.
11:15And he comes up short.
11:17Saar, the rebound.
11:19Carrington on the run.
11:20That's what Saar wants to do, pop and pick, pick and pop.
11:25I don't think he's great at that.
11:27He can shoot it a little bit.
11:28Every seven-foot big guy, all they don't do now.
11:31Alan Chutis alone, that's goaltending.
11:33All they want to do is kind of pick and pop and shoot those threes.
11:38Alec.
11:39Sorry, when's the last time you saw Denver get down on a break and post up a guy?
11:42Like happens at Denver all the time, right?
11:44Like tonight.
11:44Yeah.
11:46I think Chutis is scoring already, right?
11:49Careful of the monitors.
11:51They're a little bit wonky early.
11:53Zubach has 14 already.
11:55Jonas has got eight of the 11 points.
11:57That's right.
11:58We're working on it, folks.
11:59Good pass.
12:01Got a corner three on the way.
12:03Has to have a bounce.
12:03No, Valanchunas.
12:04What a presence inside he is.
12:06Now here comes Peyton Watson, the much improved version of Peyton Watson.
12:1022 points per game in January.
12:13Now Murray out to Valanchunas.
12:16Why not?
12:16Takes a three.
12:17No good.
12:18Why not?
12:19Why not?
12:19With the rebound.
12:20Why not?
12:20Middleton, part of those great Milwaukee teams, won the championship inside.
12:27Ball might have been blocked.
12:29And they put it to bed.
12:32Somebody got up in the backside.
12:34Might have been Murray.
12:36But then there it is.
12:36There's your guards.
12:38You've got to block out even if you're a guard.
12:40Keyshawn George will get the credit for the tip.
12:43He's having a great season.
12:44Average at 15 and a half.
12:46Now Watson, his favorite spot in the corner that's no good.
12:50And off he goes.
12:52Keyshawn George.
12:53George going to launch.
12:55Got it.
12:56In rhythm.
12:59At 29 against the Nuggets in the first meet.
13:04And a one-point lead for Denver.
13:13Pickett.
13:14Down the middle to Gordon who puts it away.
13:16Nice dish by Jalen Pickett.
13:19Gordon gets the flush.
13:20They're leery of Sar in there that Jalen had the layup.
13:23Great pass.
13:25Well, Sar's already got a couple of blocks.
13:27He's demonstrating his prowess inside as Middleton as it's skip off his hand out of bounds.
13:33There's the big man Sar from Bordeaux, France.
13:35Just 20 years old.
13:37Seven-footer.
13:38Big wingspan.
13:38100 games in his career.
13:4167 last season.
13:42Already 33 this season.
13:46It's a full-court pressure here.
13:48Do you like this idea?
13:49A lot of teams have been doing it against the Nuggets.
13:52You've got one real ball handler, and everybody else will run down the court.
13:59Murray's got it.
13:59He's guarded by Carrington.
14:01You're used to that pressure.
14:03I mean, it can throw you off a little bit.
14:05High post with Alan Chunas.
14:06You've got Murray on the bounce.
14:07Murray in the lane.
14:08Threw it away.
14:09It was deflected.
14:10Yeah, once he took that extra step, he's got to go ahead and try to finish.
14:12Five on four.
14:13Carrington backs up.
14:17Nuggets can't clear.
14:18Balanchunas rejoins the party and grabs the rebound.
14:22That's the difference when you have a big man, a traditional NBA center.
14:31Turning the crux, a court pass.
14:33Murray's got it.
14:34Now, Gordon, 4-3.
14:36Nope, short.
14:37Going to get it is George.
14:45George off the screen to Saar.
14:47Saar, no.
14:49Rebound batted out.
14:50Middleton's got a wide open look.
14:52Oh, he missed it.
14:53Middleton, a deadly mid-range shooter.
14:56He's the gray beard amongst this young group of Wizards.
15:0013-10.
15:01Nuggets have the lead.
15:03Try a little screen and roll.
15:04No.
15:04Give it to Val.
15:05Val underneath the gourd.
15:06Pop it out.
15:07That's good movement.
15:09And pick it.
15:09Yeah, it comes up short.
15:10Both those shots wide open but short last two threes.
15:15Middleton.
15:17That's no good.
15:20Give the ball to Gordon.
15:22Nuggets on the road for the first of three.
15:26Now, Gordon going to try to take it in on George.
15:28Pretty good defense.
15:30He's doubled.
15:31Allen Junis.
15:34Back to Gordon.
15:36Five to shoot.
15:38Jordan stuck.
15:39Going to have to launch.
15:40He does.
15:41And he got rim.
15:42And George to foul.
15:44Just closed out.
15:45Too tight on him.
15:46Didn't give him room to land.
15:49And that was a good build out for Aaron Gordon.
15:51Just under five and three quarters minutes to play first quarter.
15:55The Nuggets on top.
15:57By three.
16:00Earlier tonight, before this game, good news for the Denver Nuggets.
16:04Nikola Jokic was warming up, doing some spot shooting out on the floor.
16:09Moving really well.
16:10Working his way back from that knee injury.
16:13And we are back here at Capital One Arena.
16:17Wanted to give an update on the other players for the Denver Nuggets
16:20that are still on that injury report, working their way back.
16:24How many games that they've missed already for this team?
16:27We'll start with Nikola Jokic here because we just showed him.
16:29Going through some ups and downs day by day.
16:32But he's obviously getting closer, doing some warm-ups.
16:34Next Tuesday is the four-week mark for him.
16:37Cam Johnson has been doing spot shooting.
16:39Hasn't done any playing with contact quite yet.
16:42Also working his way back from a knee injury.
16:45And then Christian Brown, he's missed 31 games with that ankle injury.
16:48Came back and then decided it was best for him to continue working on getting back to 100%.
16:53Checked in with David Edelman about that, guys.
16:55There was no setback.
16:56There was no re-aggravating.
16:58But instead, they just realized he came back too soon.
17:00If you think about the game that he plays, there's so much explosiveness
17:03that comes from when he's on the basketball court.
17:06So he wants him to be ready to come back and play basketball, not just run up and down.
17:10So whenever that might be, that's when we'll see Christian Brown again.
17:13But it is a really good sign that all three of them are on this road trip with the Denver Nuggets
17:17and around the team.
17:18Absolutely.
17:19The Nuggets have lost 129 man games to injuries.
17:2316 different lineups for David Edelman coming into tonight.
17:26And the Nuggets go up a 16-10.
17:31Gordon had been struggling with his free throw shooting.
17:33Hopefully he's back on the beam.
17:34And George blocked from behind.
17:37Peyton Watson was there.
17:38Now Murray's got it.
17:39Nuggets up by six.
17:41Murray over Watson.
17:42He sets.
17:43He fires.
17:43He gets the triple.
17:45Well, you get a block that was going to be a surefire layup on one end and come down
17:51and knock the three in transition.
17:53Last Saturday, the Nuggets beating the Wizards at ball as Carrington tees off.
17:58That's no good.
17:59Long shots.
18:00Long rebounds.
18:01121-115.
18:03Nuggets pulling away late.
18:04Now Carrington from the corner.
18:06That's it.
18:07I mean, listen, like I said, shoot it.
18:09Why not?
18:10Didn't get set.
18:11Just kind of missed one.
18:12Not hesitating.
18:1319-13 is our score.
18:17Nuggets are ahead.
18:18First quarter.
18:18Glad you're with us on Altitude Sports on 9 News.
18:22Now Gordon against the smaller Champagny.
18:24Puts it up short.
18:26Zeke Nagy has replaced the Jonas Valanciunas.
18:30Valanciunas on a minutes restriction.
18:32Weren't really clear on how many minutes that would be.
18:35Murray's got it.
18:36He's bumped.
18:38Murray slinging under to Zeke Nagy.
18:40And Nagy puts it away.
18:42He kind of hesitated for just a second.
18:44Thought some bodies were going to come at him.
18:46And then did what he needed to do and flushed it.
18:50Hoping for offense from Zeke Nagy.
18:52Particularly in the paint.
18:54And a timeout call.
18:56So the Nuggets looking good early.
18:5821-13.
19:00Jamal Murray in January averaging 29.5 points at 9 assists.
19:06Watch this pass.
19:08Whoop!
19:12One arena in Washington, D.C.
19:14Where the Denver Nuggets have a 21-13 lead over the Washington Wizards.
19:19It's time now to see who you can count on more.
19:22Brought to you by UMB Bank.
19:25And it is Jonas Valanciunas.
19:27A center is back for the Denver Nuggets.
19:29So far tonight, eight points, four assists, four rebounds, excuse me, in six minutes.
19:36And the eight points ties his most in any quarter this year already for the Denver Nuggets.
19:41So coming back, starting right away, guys.
19:43David Edelman did mention his minutes will be pretty limited.
19:46So we'll see what his rotation looks like.
19:48But you already are sensing his presence inside.
19:51Much more being that big body, that big player, grabbing up rebounds and screening within the Nuggets offense.
19:56Yeah, heck of a start.
19:57Katie, six minutes, eight points, four rebounds.
20:00That's presence being felt.
20:02Tim Hardaway has come on.
20:04Under to Najee, lost it for a moment.
20:07Watson gets it back, and he is fouled.
20:10Well, the Nuggets with three long bigs in there.
20:13Watson, Najee, and Gordon.
20:14You know, the Nuggets under David Edelman have been staying afloat, treading water, for sure.
20:25But they've had some issues in the inside game, the rebounds, the points in the paint, second chance points.
20:33Doing it with smoke and mirrors, Scott, or just better players than people thought?
20:37Well, I mean, when you're 30th, you're not doing with many mirrors or much smoke.
20:41I mean, that's out in the open saying, hey, listen, I think teams, every team scouted, right?
20:48They said, listen, they're small right now.
20:49What'd you say, how many games in a row without a guy over 6'11 playing?
20:53And I think teams made a conscious effort to get to the rim, get to the lane, get to the post.
21:00They don't have shot blockers.
21:02You know, finish at the rim, and it really hurt them.
21:06Nuggets have a 10-point lead here in the first quarter.
21:093.50 to go.
21:10Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings, and Katie Winge.
21:13Spencer Jones has come on.
21:14Will Reilly is in for the Wizards.
21:22As Carrington lets it go, Watson's got a crazy shot right there.
21:27Long pass.
21:30That's Champagny.
21:31Justin Champagny, his brother, Julian, you know, plays for the Spurs.
21:36Justin, a good player.
21:39Scores, rebounds, hustles.
21:44Murray for three.
21:50Off the mark.
21:52Missing wide over threes, just two of seven.
21:56Riley had the rebound.
22:00Now, Spencer Jones pressuring Carrington, and he falls out of bounds.
22:04Yeah, he's trying to flop it like he got pushed and just fell down.
22:10You got to get the hands on him.
22:11You're there.
22:12You're there watching.
22:12He's just going to fall down like he's pushed.
22:14So, the official didn't go for it.
22:17Fourth turnover committed by Washington.
22:20Now, Spencer Jones gives it to Murray.
22:22Murray's got a lane.
22:23Going to scoop it up, and it rolled out somehow.
22:29Wizards on the run.
22:36Carrington and the other Wizards will shoot a lot of long threes.
22:41Carrington inside on Spencer Jones.
22:42That's a good defense, but maybe a little better offense.
22:45That's a good move.
22:47Carrington is not shy getting that ball up to the rim.
22:53Look at the shooting so far.
22:54Not good.
22:55No, he's looking for hard away now as you lost it.
23:08Well, the Nuggets turn it over.
23:09Now, I've got a corner three on the way, and the rebound to Payton, as the Broncos would say this weekend, Scott, you've got to hang on to the football.
23:20He's got to hang on to the football.
23:21He's got to hang on to the football.
23:22He's got to hang on to the football.
23:23He's got to hang on to the football.
23:24Now, Watson.
23:25Watson.
23:26Watson is into the lane.
23:27The offense, a lot more movement early on with big fouls around.
23:29Watson's in the lane, put it up.
23:30No.
23:31But he's fouled.
23:32That may be two on Riley.
23:33With eight points in the paint so far, not sure they've shot it well in the paint.
23:49Payton Watson knocked over December off the bench in January.
23:55A starter full-time.
23:56His numbers have gone straight up as he converts there.
24:05Now, Bruce Brown will come on for Denver.
24:08And Murray gets a break.
24:10Part of the game, again, who's your scorer?
24:12And David's talked about this impressive before.
24:15This group's got to keep moving.
24:17Got to keep getting a lot of motion.
24:18Got to run your stuff.
24:19But the bodies have got to move.
24:21Make the defense move, and something will open up for them.
24:23Well, you've got Hardaway, who's a good scorer.
24:26You've got Watson, who's proven to be a good scorer.
24:28Those will be your two main guys, I think, out of this group.
24:34Now, George.
24:35George trying to get by Spencer Jones.
24:38George off the window.
24:39No.
24:40And the foul on Spencer Jones.
24:43Pretty good defense.
24:44Maybe a little bit overaggressive.
24:46Not sure if he got an arm on the follow-through.
24:50But he was making George take an absolutely horrible shot.
24:53And you kind of bail him out by putting him to the free throw line.
24:57So the Nuggets, you know, have made all 11 free throws.
25:00Washington's first free throw attempt right here.
25:03And it's good.
25:07And Keyshawn George averaging 15 and a half, five rebounds, and five assists per game.
25:14Good-looking young player.
25:15He's 22 years old.
25:16His dad was a baller.
25:18Played over in Switzerland.
25:20That's where Keyshawn was born.
25:25Number 24 pick of the Knicks.
25:3025-17.
25:31There's the free throw story.
25:33Hardaway backing up.
25:39And the Wizards have it.
25:47Long range.
25:48Riley.
25:49Will Riley.
25:50If you watch our last telecast against Washington.
25:53He's the kid.
25:5419-year-old from Kitchener, Ontario.
25:56The same hometown as Jamal Murray.
25:59Was mentored by Murray's dad, Roger, as a youngster.
26:04It's going to be another turnover.
26:06Oh, Spencer.
26:07Jones rescues that play.
26:09Call 9-1-1.
26:12Spencer Jones, out of that mess, comes away with two.
26:16And it's a seven-point lead.
26:19Made some chicken salad.
26:21Yeah.
26:22George.
26:23It's no good.
26:24Long rebound.
26:26Well, the second chance points are starting to creep in.
26:31And I watched at that time.
26:32Shout went up.
26:33No one moved.
26:34Didn't go towards the body.
26:35And that's the third or fourth long rebound.
26:38That's kicked out from a questionable shot.
26:40Just got to be ready.
26:41Washington has already taken 16 threes.
26:44Incredible total for one quarter.
26:47Trying to turn the corners.
26:49Watson.
26:50Six to shoot.
26:52Payton Watson in trouble here.
26:54This is just one mess of a play.
26:58Shot clock violation.
27:00Well, they call a shot clock violation.
27:03I ain't being kind of predicted in the future.
27:06I said this group's going to struggle.
27:08The one lone saved by Spencer Jones.
27:12Yep.
27:13This team, twice under four possessions, didn't get a shot at.
27:16I think Gill comes on.
27:19They're going to walk and go out.
27:23Oh, we're not going to let Gill come in.
27:25So 7.9 Wizards have it.
27:36George.
27:37Picked up by Bruce Brown.
27:40George goes by Brown.
27:42Inside.
27:43And a pretty good defensive play laid by Zeke Neisman, who came over.
27:47So all in all, pretty good first quarter for the Denver Nuggets.
27:51They lead it 27-23.
27:53You're watching Altitude Sports on 9 News.
27:56Your home for Nuggets basketball.
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28:07By Bet365.
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28:11And by King Super is fresh for everyone.
28:14The Washington Monument looming brightly.
28:20The Nuggets with a good first quarter on defense, Scott.
28:25I think you have to give them that, allowing just 23 points.
28:28The only thing on defense they got to clean up is, and a great move by Tim Hardaway, is their second chance points.
28:35You know, they gave them eight second chance points.
28:39Nuggets a six-point road favorite coming in.
28:43Now Champagne.
28:44Champagne buries it.
28:46The ball's kicking out, and they're not hesitating to shoot it.
28:50So you've got to know that.
28:53Register that in the old dual oblongata and change that.
28:58Know how close you can be and not be defensible.
29:01Hardaway was open there for a second.
29:02Didn't get it.
29:03Now he's going to take a long-range three.
29:05That's way off the mark.
29:06Battling are the Nuggets.
29:07Bruce Brown.
29:09And Brown is out of bounds.
29:13The Wizards will have it.
29:14We mentioned the Wizards, 10-32, 14th in the East, just ahead of the 10-34 Indiana Pacers.
29:22At home there, 6-16.
29:28Riley, not afraid to travel.
29:32High up, the bunny hop and the pea patch.
29:35So Will Riley is 19 years old.
29:40Number 20, first pick.
29:44Six turnover, credited to the Wizards.
29:47Now pick it around the corner, give it to Brown.
29:51Hardaway.
29:53Hardaway has just been off in the last couple of games.
29:56Yep, missed his last ten three-point attempts.
29:59Low at eight at Lakerhead.
30:0129-26, Denver.
30:04George on the dribble drive.
30:07No good.
30:08Valanchunas got hit in the face.
30:10He's in the backcourt, way backcourt.
30:12Now Hardaway's on the run.
30:13He fumbles it out of bounds.
30:15Washington basketball.
30:19Valanchunas shaking it off, boss.
30:23Nuggets have six turnovers.
30:25George with the drive.
30:26Watch that left arm.
30:27He just sticks that left arm up, catches the elbow right to the face.
30:31He's in the backcourt.
30:34Wizards not afraid.
30:37They've had trouble closing out games.
30:40Riley for three.
30:41That's no good.
30:42Bruce Brown's got it.
30:43Your guard in this game, you could get 10 or 11 rebounds.
30:46I'm telling you.
30:47Okay.
30:48Hang around, hang around.
30:49They're just shooting threes whenever they get a chance.
30:51Inside.
30:52No.
30:54George has it.
31:01I think it's trying to clear the rebound.
31:02They do.
31:03Good play by Bruce Brown, tapping it to Big Val.
31:08Pick it going a little bit.
31:11Gotta get anybody going in this game.
31:13The offense has been stagnant.
31:15Hardaway Jr. should make this.
31:16Nope.
31:17Off the heel.
31:18Hardaway Jr.
31:20Struggling.
31:21Pass it out.
31:22Riley.
31:23That's no good.
31:24Hardaway Jr.'s got it.
31:2729-26.
31:29You'll see the field goals in the corner.
31:31Not good.
31:32Neither team shoot the ball very good.
31:34If anyone on the hot street, watch out.
31:36Yeah.
31:37And Valanchunas.
31:39Stumbling.
31:40Did he get hit in the face?
31:41Sars reached around from behind and saying he knocked it out.
31:45Valanchunas had 8-4 in his first stint.
31:49He just kind of lost it, didn't he?
31:51That could have been a foul, Scott.
31:53Yep.
31:54He didn't say anything.
31:56Now pick it.
31:58Pick it in a thicket.
31:59He's got a 16-footer short.
32:01And Valanchunas can't dig it out.
32:04Wizards on the run.
32:05George in the lane.
32:07Put it up.
32:08No, but a foul.
32:12The shooting in this game has been bad for both teams.
32:17As Pickett picks up the foul.
32:18Washington's 9 of 33.
32:208 for 25 for Denver.
32:22That's 27% and 32%.
32:24So you're saying it's kind of a Clank Fest at the moment.
32:28Clank-A-Rama.
32:31People with the last name Clank is going to change her last name.
32:35George knocks it in.
32:36Time now for the Live Obs update.
32:37Brought to you by FanDuel.
32:39The money line, minus 3.30.
32:42The spread, minus 6.5.
32:46And the total points right now, 2.13.5.
32:52That seems, the way these two teams are shooting, Scott, that seems high.
32:55He's not an expert, but that seems high.
33:01Second quarter field goals.
33:03Both teams are 1 of 7 as Middleton comes back in.
33:0929-28 now.
33:16See if the Nuggets can get going here.
33:20Melanchunas, they're going to come double.
33:22No, they're one-on-one against Saar.
33:24Melanchunas puts it up and in.
33:25Saar is a terrific shot blocker, but maybe not enough beef in the bucket to handle Eunice.
33:30You've got to get a shot blocker.
33:31You've got to get your body into him.
33:33And it kind of takes him away from the ability to get straight up to jump.
33:38Middleton off the screen.
33:39Now we've got a quarter-three by Bub Carrington.
33:42No.
33:442-1.
33:45He's going to have, in limited minutes, a double-double.
33:48Hardaway going to try it again.
33:50Just barely drew iron.
33:53Tim Hardaway, Jr., who had 30 against Washington in the meeting last Saturday.
33:58Low for four from three.
33:59One of six overall.
34:01He'll take his shirt out so he can breathe here a little bit.
34:04Get some good juju going here.
34:0731-28, Nuggets.
34:11Middleton.
34:12Nice disc to Saar.
34:14And that's going to be a foul on Val.
34:18Denver Nuggets foul.
34:20So Saar will head to the free throw line where he shoots 70%.
34:26Fouls straight up, but you see he's moving into Saar.
34:30Saar's going to the basket.
34:35He's in foul trouble in that game at Denver.
34:39He's going against a big guy tonight.
34:41Game on.
34:42Red Bull's in play at Circle K.
34:44by three for 6.50 on any Red Bull Energy 8.4 ounce drink.
34:53Now Aaron Gordon comes back in, replacing Spencer Jones.
34:57Spencer Jones had that one bucket off the bench, but it was an important one.
35:03Saw a couple there.
35:07In a one point game.
35:09Low scoring effect.
35:10She had an 8-2 run to end that first quarter.
35:13Here's the free throw story.
35:16Everybody perfect.
35:1715-6 extended run.
35:19Everybody try to go one-on-one.
35:20Pass under to Val.
35:21And he rams at home.
35:22Lithuanian style.
35:23That's how you go.
35:24In your face.
35:25That's how you go one-on-one right there.
35:27That's a pretty good one on one.
35:28That perked up Scott Hastings.
35:29Val has 12.6 rebounds so far.
35:33Passes high Bubb saves.
35:34The shot is no good.
35:35It's bounced.
35:36and last touched by Washington.
35:37Let's go back to Val.
35:38Thought he was gonna float it up over Sar.
35:39Sar thought he was gonna float it up too.
35:41And then he said,
35:42well,
35:43we're not at home.
35:44That's a good one on one right there.
35:46Gotta get him home,
35:47Lithuanian style.
35:48That's how you go.
35:49In your face.
35:50That's how you go one-on-one right there.
35:51That's a pretty good one on one.
35:52That's a pretty good one on one.
35:53That perked up Scott Hastings.
35:54Val has 12.6 rebounds so far.
35:57Passes high Bubb saves.
36:00The shot is no good.
36:01It's bounced.
36:02Last touched by Washington,
36:03I'm close enough, let me just see if I can get there.
36:07Zarr thought he was going to be floating it up too.
36:09Big bounce and nuts.
36:11Once again, 12 points most
36:13in any half this year for him.
36:16Now Gordon's got it.
36:19Balanchunas, baseline.
36:20He likes this shot.
36:21That rattles out.
36:22But he's missed two of those shots right there.
36:25Both of them just little touch shots.
36:26Never had to play in a while.
36:28Middletown, trying to reverse.
36:30And that's going to be another foul
36:33of Balanchunas, his second.
36:36Well, there's a concern for Denver
36:37when you've got one legit big man.
36:40You've got to keep him out of foul trouble.
36:42Well, Balanchunas and the Nuggets
36:44with 6.55 to go in the second quarter
36:48at the three-point lead.
36:54The Nuggets with a three-point lead
36:56in our nation's capital
36:57over the Washington Wizards
36:58in the second quarter.
36:59It is the first night of a back-to-back.
37:01But we're going to look ahead here
37:02for a second to the second night
37:04of the back-to-back in Milwaukee
37:05for our Toyota talk of the game.
37:08As tensions continue to rise in Milwaukee,
37:12the Bucs lost to the Thunder last night,
37:14122-102.
37:15And Giannis Adetokounmpo
37:16expressed frustrations after the game,
37:19saying we're not playing hard,
37:20we're not playing to win,
37:21we're not playing together.
37:22Our chemistry is not there.
37:24Guys are being selfish.
37:25They're trying to do it on their own.
37:26Right now, I think we just don't get it.
37:2839 games left.
37:30We don't have time.
37:31We really don't.
37:32The two-time MVP guys
37:33has 13 field goal attempts
37:35or fewer in his past four games,
37:37including just 11 field goal attempts
37:39against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
37:41And just a reminder,
37:43February 5th is the trade deadline,
37:44so that's something to keep in mind as well.
37:46Yeah, Bucs are 18-24 thus far.
37:50That puts them 11th in the Eastern Conference.
37:54Interesting the line about we don't have time.
37:58If you're management, you don't want to hear that.
38:00Well, he's saying there's only 39 games left.
38:02We don't have time to waste another 20 games
38:05to figure this stuff out.
38:08And he's probably right with that.
38:10And they still pay time to get into the playoffs,
38:11get a good playoff position.
38:13Unfortunately, we'll see an angry team tomorrow night.
38:16Back-to-back.
38:17Washington, perfect at the free throw line.
38:198-for-8.
38:20Nuggets 11-4-11.
38:22Zone.
38:22See if Denver recognizes it.
38:23Got Bruce in the middle.
38:24They've got to get it to him.
38:25Murray's back in.
38:26Murray will shoot a long three.
38:27Top of the key.
38:28No good.
38:29Bruce Brown there.
38:30Put it up.
38:30No.
38:31He rushed it.
38:34Rebounded by Anthony Gill.
38:36Wizards could get the lead here.
38:41Nuggets has led all the way so far.
38:43Now Middleton.
38:44Got it.
38:45That's his specialty throughout his career.
38:48A little mid-range 15er when they won that championship
38:51with Milwaukee.
38:52First lead tonight.
38:53Nugs haven't had much offense behind Valanchunas.
38:58They got 25 points with a couple minutes to go on the first.
39:03And they're sitting there right now looking at 33.
39:05Nuggets got it back.
39:08Watson shoots a three.
39:09Big play there.
39:11Bruce Brown got the reach in.
39:13And Brian Keefe is irate.
39:14He thought there was a foul there.
39:17And Watson gets it.
39:18He's got ten points here in the first half.
39:23Nuggets go back now.
39:24On top.
39:25Carrington lets it go.
39:27That's no good.
39:28And again, guards long rebound.
39:30Carrington again.
39:31That's no good.
39:32Murray's got it.
39:33Murray, a very good defensive rebounding guard.
39:38Four and a half a game.
39:46Murray pivot.
39:48That's no good.
39:49And here comes Bob.
39:57Wow.
39:59Brick City there.
40:00Well, they're not afraid to shoot.
40:01I almost broke that.
40:02I almost broke glass.
40:05Gordon.
40:06One-on-one.
40:08Gordon in the lane.
40:08Out to Bruce Brown.
40:10Hesitates.
40:15Watson.
40:16Seven to shoot.
40:17Watson.
40:21A couple men down.
40:22Watson and Middleton getting tied up there.
40:27This might be one of the ugliest halves of offensive basketball.
40:31I've seen two teams play in my life.
40:32The only one that could score is right here, Middleton.
40:37Tip no good.
40:39Gordon's got it.
40:40Long pass.
40:40Out there is Brown.
40:43Cowboy up.
40:44Bruce Brown.
40:45Bruce Brown.
40:46Ride him.
40:4738-34.
40:48Now, Bub Carrington with it.
40:54Bub short for Bubbles.
40:55An old family name.
40:57Ball knocked away.
40:59Bub's got it.
41:01Intercepted.
41:02Off a hand.
41:03Watson's got it.
41:05And Watson out of control.
41:08But he's going to get bailed out here.
41:10There was contact.
41:12Perhaps the reason he was out of control.
41:14Well, they're running the same lanes.
41:16It's too many guys in there.
41:17He's trying to get to the middle.
41:19Probably needs to get there a step earlier.
41:22Harrington got to where he was going to try to get in the Euro.
41:25Just there was no room to Euro.
41:27Instead runs into Harrington who gets the foul.
41:30Fouls on Watkins.
41:37Sarr is back in.
41:40The Nuggets have already picked up three team fouls.
41:44But it may not matter.
41:45It's late.
41:45And pass is intercepted now.
41:48Carrington has it.
41:49His given name, Carlton Khalil Carrington III.
41:54And he's the third Bub in his family.
41:57Or Bubbles if you like.
41:58Another missed layup and a foul called.
42:04How do you shake yourself out, Scott?
42:06You guys probably had some bad shooting nights in your career.
42:09How do you shake a team out of that?
42:11To be honest with you, Chris, it gets to have time in Orange Slices.
42:16You've been playing with that forever.
42:18But sometimes you do.
42:19Sometimes you just go, guys, relax.
42:20Let's go.
42:21And, you know, somebody will probably have a cup of coffee, a soda, some orange, some sugar.
42:26Get in yourself.
42:27Because it's just a real – I really feel a few things played against him.
42:34You're in the dog days of the season.
42:35That's games 35, 55, 60, somewhere in there.
42:38Okay.
42:39You're traveling like crazy.
42:40You've traveled more and played more road games than anybody else in the NBA.
42:43You're fourth back-to-back start of tonight in this month.
42:48And to me, they just look weary right now.
42:51And I don't know when or how you get that back.
42:53And a challenging schedule, no doubt about it.
42:55Now Murray's in the lane.
42:57Dump it off to Gordon.
42:59Oh, Pickett should have held Watson for three.
43:02And he is becoming much more reliable from three-point distance.
43:08Over 40% now.
43:10He's made three of four tonight.
43:12And the Nuggets by five.
43:17George, alley-oop.
43:19Nice play, Gordon.
43:20Deflecting it.
43:21Nuggets have a steal.
43:23Murray sidesteps in the lane.
43:25And he scores it up in a timeout.
43:28So, a great defensive play by Gordon.
43:31And Murray on the offensive end.
43:34A 10-2 scoring run for the good guys.
43:37You knew it had to break a little bit.
43:39Starts with defense.
43:40You get it out.
43:41Look at the body starting to run.
43:43And then watch the sea open.
43:44Murray finds the path.
43:46Lays it up for the lead.
43:49A 10-2 run for Denver.
43:55Doing a little patchwork job on Peyton Watson.
43:59Right now it's time to take off with Southwest Airlines.
44:02Pickett with a sweet pass.
44:09And Big Val knows what to do.
44:12Tomahawk on the NBA's leading shot blocker.
44:16Didn't expect that.
44:17Jonas Valanciunas, our Southwest Airlines takeoff.
44:21They took him out for a little bit.
44:23They put him back in at the timeout.
44:25Washington, by the way, down to three timeouts for the game.
44:29Remember, they got mandatory timeout in both the third and the fourth.
44:32So, one discretionary.
44:35Wizards on a seven-game losing streak.
44:37The Nuggets on a four-game road win streak.
44:43And that was Keyshawn George from distance.
44:48He's a 40% three-point shooter.
44:56Watson.
44:57Good setup for Murray.
44:59And Murray hits.
45:01Right in front of the Washington bench.
45:04Took a little peek over there.
45:05Don't know if he said anything.
45:07The Nuggets up by seven now.
45:09Taking a push here.
45:10Number just five of 15 threes.
45:13But they made three in a row, I believe.
45:16Carrington runs in to foul.
45:18Oh, my gosh.
45:21When he slips, he's got a really good head fake when he goes down.
45:24They're going to get this, I think, on Jones.
45:28Well, they're going to say Valanciunas.
45:29That's his turn.
45:31That's a good drive and then vision by Peyton on that one.
45:36It's a costly foul on Valanciunas.
45:40So, three on Val.
45:41He's got 12.6 rebounds.
45:44Getting the start tonight after missing 11 games with a calf issue.
45:50Here's a good look at Bubb Carrington.
45:55Just 20 years old out of Baltimore.
45:59Came over in the July 6th trade with Portland for Denny Avdia.
46:03Avdia, of course, having the breakout year.
46:06All-star caliber.
46:07There are 26 points per game.
46:09They're hoping Bubb lives up to some of that.
46:13Watson turns the corner.
46:15Watson in the lane.
46:16Got it.
46:17Boy, he's become good at the floater.
46:19That was the first time.
46:20I thought he really turned and had his eye on it.
46:23That's out of the basket.
46:24Yeah.
46:24Eight in the corner for Watson.
46:28And Middleton drops it in.
46:31Middleton!
46:34For Middleton.
46:38Off the bench with six.
46:41Now Murray going to work with Valanciunas.
46:44Gordon for three.
46:47And the rebound by George.
46:50To Carrington.
46:51Carrington lets it go.
46:53Round and out.
46:55Good boy.
46:56Shot selection.
46:57Not a big topic in Washington, is it?
46:59Good shot selection.
47:04Although you talk to David Adams, he just wants shots up.
47:07He doesn't want turnovers.
47:08Get the shot off the glass.
47:09Run back.
47:10And you'll have a good defense.
47:11That's what he said tonight.
47:13Now Murray against Carrington.
47:14Four to shoot.
47:15Murray going to fade away.
47:16He does.
47:19Just doesn't seem to have the legs here in the first half.
47:22Not yet.
47:25First thing, halftime report is coming up.
47:28And three is good.
47:30From Marty Chris Stips here.
47:31The Trey Johnson.
47:35At 15 and 5 against the Clippers the other night.
47:38They like his long-range appeal.
47:40Now Watson into the lane.
47:44Left hand.
47:45No.
47:46Valanchunas thought he had it.
47:48He did not.
47:50Oh.
47:53Now George.
47:55Two-point lead for Denver.
48:00George around everybody.
48:02And Murray.
48:03Oh.
48:04Murray grabbed him.
48:05And they're going to call an offensive foul on George.
48:08Saying that he lifted the arm up in the air.
48:10I thought Murray grabbed the arm to take the foul.
48:13And he's shocked.
48:14He's surprised.
48:15The challenge is remaining for Washington.
48:18They're going to take it, I think.
48:20Jamal Murray.
48:21And he told them no.
48:23You know why?
48:24Like I said, a while ago.
48:24You've got three timeouts left.
48:27You've got two.
48:30I'm not sure what they're waiting on.
48:31A delay of game warning has been assessed to Washington.
48:35Washington's trying to stall so they can look at it if they want to challenge.
48:39But again.
48:40You're right.
48:40The timeouts is big.
48:41And I think they would win it.
48:43But if you don't, you're in trouble.
48:48Brian Keith.
48:49Well, they do a delay of game.
48:51And they still just allowed them to get another guy into the game defensively.
48:55David Adamer talked about this the other night.
48:57About matching substitutions with the opposing coach.
49:00If you want to have your guy on their guy specifically.
49:13Jamal Murray's got it.
49:14We've got 15 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
49:16Low scoring.
49:18Bad shooting.
49:19But good defense.
49:21And some hustle.
49:23And then the foul ball.
49:25Trey Johnson, who got subbed out right now, is unhappy.
49:31He was mad at one of the assistant coaches.
49:33Second foul on Watkins.
49:36Alan Tunis has to be very careful the way he sets those high screens, Scott.
49:40We've seen him pick up some fouls in previous games.
49:42He's playing with three.
49:45Let's see if he goes out the screen for Gordon here.
49:53Four to shoot.
49:55Gordon knows it.
49:56Gordon uncorks one.
49:58No good.
49:59And that is the end of the first half.
50:02Watson with 15.
50:03Bell and Judas with 12.
50:05George with 12.
50:07Carrington with 10 for the Wizards.
50:10Nuggets have the lead.
50:12It's a skinny one.
50:1348-46.
50:15When we come back, first bank halftime report is coming at you.
50:18Vic Lombardi.
50:18Chris Nipsey standing by with all the gab right after this.
50:245 Toyota 4Runner.
50:30It's available now at your front range Toyota stores.
50:36Well, low-scoring defensive battle.
50:38Jonas, a nice surprise.
50:4048-46 our score as we get ready for the third quarter.
50:43But first, let's check in with Scott Hastings presented by HCA Health 1.
50:46Well, he'd missed 11 straight games, Chris.
50:49And then finally gets to start tonight.
50:51Limited minutes.
50:52Played 14 in that first half.
50:54And, boy, were they pretty special when he was playing it.
50:5712 points on four of eight shooting.
50:59Just missed a couple of those little touch shots on the side and a three.
51:02But how about six rebounds in those 14 minutes?
51:06So, pretty good minutes after being out of commission for a while.
51:11Let's see now if that rest in half can come back.
51:14Can he get that calf loose and ready to keep going what he was doing?
51:17Last game, Jonas played.
51:1917 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in just 23 minutes at Toronto.
51:25That was the game he got injured.
51:28And the reverse layup is good.
51:30And that's picking right there.
51:31He's on that weak side.
51:33Don't let you get the guy on the baseline.
51:34He just bailed out of it.
51:35He's got to keep that guy below and behind the basket.
51:38That was Trey Johnson with the hoop.
51:45Let's try to get Aaron Gordon.
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