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00:00This is for you on Sunday Night Football.
00:17This is the NBA on NBC.
00:28Tonight, the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Denver Nuggets.
00:31It's Coast to Coast Tuesday, presented by Kia.
00:38Playoff positioning in full swing as we welcome you to Denver.
00:42The 76ers in the East, the Nuggets in the West, and both very much in the mix.
00:49And meeting tonight inside Ball Arena as we come down the stretch in this NBA regular season
00:55with every game a meaningful one.
00:58Looking ahead to April.
01:02And hi, everybody.
01:03Terry Gannon along with the five-time NBA champ Derek Fisher.
01:06Grant Liffman with us as well.
01:08Difficult task on the road tonight, no doubt about it, for the 76ers.
01:12He had hard by injuries.
01:14They're without four of their starters like Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid.
01:18However, Derek, they haven't given up on that sixth seed in the East as of yet.
01:22They come in winning three of their last four and two in a row.
01:26Well, yes, they're struggling out of the break.
01:28But their committee is ready to get after it.
01:32They have probably the biggest next-man-up committee in the league, fighting hard.
01:36Young guys like Vijay Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes bringing a lot of noise for the Sixers.
01:40Those two have certainly stepped up for the Sixers,
01:42and they've got a couple more games on this road trip that are winnable.
01:46There is no doubt about it.
01:48Tonight will be difficult.
01:49We'll see if they can hang in.
01:50For the Nuggets, they've been hit hard by injuries all season long.
01:54The original starting lineup has only been together 14 times.
01:58But this is the time to get healthy, and they're doing just that.
02:01This Nuggets team has championship aspirations still.
02:06Anytime you have a perennial MVP candidate on your team, like Nikola Jokic,
02:11the championship window is always open,
02:12and they are trying to stretch it as long as possible, getting healthy at the right time.
02:17Jamal Murray's had a pretty good year, too.
02:19Yeah, I would say so.
02:20Finally made an all-star team.
02:22The world is now right in balance.
02:24Yeah, no doubt about it.
02:25Another wild card for them as you look ahead to the playoffs, Cam Johnson.
02:29No doubt about it.
02:30A short time to go, Grant Liffman caught up with him.
02:34Cam, the team is finally getting healthy.
02:37The depth of this group is incredible.
02:39You're the starting small forward for this team.
02:42How do you define your role and impact as you conclude the rest of the season?
02:47Just bring what I bring to the table.
02:49Compete, connect, space the floor, create opportunities for others, defend.
02:55And we've got a lot of guys that do those same things.
02:57And then when you look at the playoff picture right now, you're in the five-seed,
03:01but you're in a three-way tie in the wing column.
03:03And then you're also two games out of the three-seed.
03:06As a team, have you been looking at the seedings, and do you have any goals in that regard?
03:10To an extent, our goal is just to win every game from here on out
03:13and get some momentum going into playoffs.
03:16It's a great goal.
03:16All right, best of luck tonight, Cam.
03:18Thanks.
03:19He'll be big coming down the stretch this regular season, no doubt.
03:23Sixers led by sensational rookie Vijay Edgecombe.
03:27Quinton Grimes also has stepped up as of late.
03:31Well, for the Nuggets, Jamal Murray having an absolute career year.
03:36And, oh, by the way, you've got the three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic, gearing up for playoff time.
03:43Sixers Nuggets coming your way from the mile-high next.
03:50Back in Denver on a warm night here in Colorado
03:53as we check out tonight's DraftKings King of the Court tracker, Vijay Edgecombe,
03:59averaging nearly 25 combined points, rebounds, and assists this season.
04:03And Nikola Jokic averaging 51.8 combined points, rebounds, and assists.
04:09DraftKings is your home for King of the Court.
04:12To get in on the action, download the app, and use promo code DUNK when you sign up.
04:24It's a moment.
04:27It's a moment.
04:28It's a moment.
04:29It's a moment.
04:30It's a moment.
04:30It's a moment.
04:30It's a moment.
04:31It's a moment.
04:33Ew!
04:34Ew!
04:35Ew!
04:37It's upon a time, I'll ever step to see the teams.
04:39And we still devil down calling nothing slaves.
04:42And later with the deber electronics.
04:44All that rhyme on shit, we can win.
04:45Play Paul play against O'all.
04:47Big Daddy on top.
04:48And Scott from Kansas.
04:50Number 0, Christian!
04:53Hoor!"
05:01Ford from North Carolina.
05:02And number 23, Kim Johnson!
05:14And forward from Arizona, number 32, Aaron Gordon!
05:31In that guard, from Kentucky, number 27, Jamal Murray!
05:43Head coach of your Denver Nuggets is David Adelman!
05:52David Adelman in his first full season, the head coach of the Nuggets coming in 41-27 against the 37
05:58-31 Philadelphia 76ers.
06:01Opening tip is next.
06:04Ball arena as we get set for 76ers and the Nuggets here in Denver.
06:10Nicole Dejokic in his 11th year, averaging about 29 points per game for David Adelman.
06:18Who checks the standings, he said, every single day, knows exactly where they are right now.
06:24They're the fifth seed in the West, and the Sixers coming in for Nick Nurse, the ninth seed.
06:29But it's oh so close, just a game and a half behind that number six position.
06:34And he doesn't check the standings every chance he gets.
06:38He's just locked in on winning the day.
06:41So here we go, Kevin Scott, Moran Kogut, and Aaron Smith, the officiating crew in Denver tonight.
06:47Opening tip, controlled by the Nuggets, having won four of their last seven, but there's six and seven since the
06:53All-Star break.
06:55High-low, Jokic to Gordon, how easy was that?
06:59Great pass by Jokic.
07:01The timing, almost like a Paul Pierce cut.
07:05Quick duck in by Borden for two.
07:07And the turnover, going to go right back to the Nuggets.
07:11See Jokic here, Terry, just the vision and the timing right on time.
07:16Looks it off.
07:18Borden seals, easy finish.
07:20And Jokic is going to pass her from that position, as we maybe have seen, with the miss at this
07:25end.
07:25And then Bona clears it, and the outlet, the VJ Edgecombe, the rookie, and a Baylor high, off the glass,
07:31and in, over Jamal Murray.
07:35Defender backing up.
07:36You want to go right at him.
07:38Edgecombe accomplished that.
07:40Got to the rim.
07:41Smooth finish off the glass.
07:43Another one from Jokic, sketches at the receiving end, again, Aaron Gordon, who missed a total of 41 games this
07:49year.
07:49He was out with a right hamstring.
07:51It was a recurring injury, so finally back in and getting better and better since the return.
07:58And his versatility really helps his team a lot, as we'll see throughout the game tonight.
08:02Edwards out to Bona, a three, cleared by Murray.
08:07He's having a great year, but was held to five points against the Lakers a couple of nights ago.
08:12Just one of 14, and has this one blocked by Dominic Barlow.
08:16Starts the break for the Sixers.
08:17Bona to finish with the goal.
08:20He is explosive and dynamic as a finisher.
08:23Really athletic when he runs the floor.
08:26Great pass in transition.
08:28Strong finish by Bona.
08:35Gordon controls out front.
08:37Murray to Brown, who lost it.
08:40Christian Brown, who's been out as well, with a left ankle spring,
08:43and has missed 36 games this season.
08:46So you get the trend, right, for both teams that they've dealt with.
08:49Edgecombe.
08:51And Gordon got hit as he hauled in the rebound.
08:54I know everybody deals with that in the NBA, every team.
08:56But these two teams, especially this year,
08:59blocked by Barlow, pick up the foul.
09:03They're just in transition, man, the Sixers, pushing hard.
09:07Edgecombe, eyes up, drops it off to Bona.
09:10And again, he's in a dynamic, explosive athlete.
09:14Good, strong finish and transition.
09:17Philadelphia with four fast break points to start this game.
09:22Bona, 6'10", second-year player out of UCLA.
09:24He was freshman of the year in the MAAC-12 and the defensive player of the year back at Westwood.
09:34So Gordon since coming back, he had 27 against the Lakers the other night.
09:38But he's had a couple of games at 20-plus points,
09:41but also a couple of games of three or fewer points in the return.
09:45He's got all of Denver's points tonight.
09:48That's part of that process.
09:50Talked about missing 41 games,
09:52a recurring hamstring injury, difficult, the rhythm, the timing.
09:56Not as much practice time in the league now.
09:59He'll get that timing going and continue to get better.
10:01Justin Edwards, left-hander creates,
10:04misfires, hauled in by Brown, and here comes Jokic.
10:08Sixers winners of three of their last four,
10:12including their last two,
10:14against Portland the other night.
10:17Johnson, yep, got the floater in the lane.
10:20Cam Johnson, the seventh-year player,
10:22who's still finding his way in this lineup.
10:26And part of finding your way in a new lineup,
10:29so you go to a new team,
10:30you're being asked to be the same guy you were,
10:33but you're in a new situation.
10:35And so trusting that Jokic and Murray and those guys,
10:38trust him to go out and be himself.
10:41Baseline control, they swing it.
10:43Here comes Murray.
10:45Jokic just surveying the court.
10:48Cross-court, Brown from three.
10:50But if they could get him to do that more often,
10:53this would be a dangerous team.
10:55They already are.
10:56It's easier to do it when you have a great passer
10:59like Nikola Jokic,
11:00just looking off the defense, reading the coverage.
11:03Great skip pass.
11:04It helps a bit when you can just spot up, doesn't it?
11:06Yes, it does.
11:08Dominic Barlow on the miss.
11:10It's a 7-0 run right now
11:13for the Nuggets.
11:15Jokic posts up.
11:16Bona called on the reach,
11:18and that's the first on a Dembona.
11:22Watch here.
11:24Watch.
11:25He comes off the pick and roll.
11:26Big, small, screen roll.
11:29Sees the defense and on the backside.
11:31Skips into a wide-open teammate.
11:33Christian Brown knocks down the three.
11:38So Philadelphia just two of eight to start.
11:41Nuggets are four of six.
11:43Jokic didn't expect a lot.
11:45He argues he was being held.
11:50And he may have been.
11:53Crowd thinks so.
11:54Guy next to me thinks so.
11:59Edwards looking to create.
12:01Overton, but on the reach,
12:03and a chance for a three-point play, Justin Edwards.
12:05Good strong finish by Justin Edwards.
12:07Left-handed out of Kentucky, from Philadelphia.
12:10Playing for your hometown team in the NBA.
12:13Strong finish through the contact.
12:15And one opportunity.
12:18Man who signed a two-way deal back in July of 2024 and eventually a multi-year deal this July.
12:26Heading into the season.
12:27So more part of this lineup.
12:29And the future for the Sixers than he was.
12:35And fouls on Cam Johnson.
12:37His first.
12:39So we approach the eight-minute mark.
12:41And Denver up by four here at home.
12:47Contacts.
12:48Out front with Edwards.
12:49Trying to bother Gordon.
12:50And then getting around the screen.
12:52We got a whistle and an offensive foul.
12:55I believe is the game.
12:56Well, Gordon and Edwards were hung up.
12:59No, no.
12:59Yeah.
13:00Edwards pushed Gordon into Edgecombe.
13:02So they caught the foul on Edwards.
13:03Watch the push right here.
13:06So it just caused a two-hand push on Edwards.
13:09Where they were holding and grabbing before that.
13:12And that was almost like the third or fourth hour.
13:14That's a lot going on right prior to that.
13:16Jokic again to the corner.
13:18Gordon.
13:18He just pops up.
13:19Ready.
13:20And fires.
13:21I mean, Jokic.
13:22His fifth assist of the night already.
13:26Seven and a half minutes.
13:27It's not even.
13:31Deep corner three.
13:33A little bit short.
13:34Tipped back out.
13:36Quick pass.
13:37Here comes Johnson.
13:38Going to keep it himself.
13:40Never challenged.
13:41Denver on the run.
13:43And a quick timeout taken by Nick Nurse and the Sixers.
13:47So, six of eight from the floor.
13:50Denver red hot to start.
13:53Back to tell you, it's unanimous.
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14:0716-7 Denver with the lead.
14:10And Aaron Gordon has outscored the 76ers by himself.
14:15They got him started right away with two points right at the rim.
14:19And he's been shooting the ball great from the perimeter.
14:22Knocks down to three.
14:23And he's the key to any championship streak they have.
14:27Oh, fadeaway.
14:27Edgecombe.
14:28Beautiful shot.
14:29Mid-range.
14:32Reminds me of manna so much again of it's not a player comp in terms of they're the same guy,
14:38but just a young, dynamic Jimmy Butler type player.
14:41Comfortable in the mid-range.
14:43Aggressive.
14:43Good defender and rebounder as a guard.
14:45I like the analogy.
14:47Average is about 15 points per game.
14:49In and out, Gordon.
14:50So it's cleared.
14:50Here comes Edwards on the run.
14:56And that first year, I mean, it is a learning process.
14:59And now, a guy like Edgecombe is forced to do more than that with all the injuries they've had.
15:08You'll catch the ground, reach in, and the foul on Edgecombe.
15:12Your kid's just threading the floor, and it's got to be so much fun to play with him.
15:17I mean, it's just recognizing as well.
15:20I mean, I think he has one field goal to Tim.
15:24And so there are nights, you know, in particular when you're a high-usage player,
15:28there are nights when you don't have to step on the gas offensively to look for your shot.
15:33You can accomplish both things.
15:36Individually doing what you need to do, but also making sure you help the team win.
15:39Kind of makes your teammates happy, too.
15:41Yes.
15:42When you're doing that.
15:44Tim Hardaway Jr. on for the Nuggets.
15:4913th year man out of Michigan, and the second leading three-point shooter
15:52for this team, certainly a threat.
15:55So Brown, the free throws.
15:56It's 18-9, Denver with this early lead.
16:03Tyrese Maxey out for a couple more weeks with that pinky on his right hand that's been injured.
16:10The air ball and the foul of Quinton Grimes has been great as of late.
16:1423 points he's averaged in their last six.
16:18And Quinton Grimes has been just talking about the confidence that, you know,
16:22his teammates want him to shoot, the coaches want him to shoot, he wants to shoot.
16:26And so everything's aligned.
16:28That quick spin, and then he took his time, as he does.
16:31Jokic.
16:33Step back Grimes.
16:34Got it.
16:35Yeah.
16:37That 31 the other night against Portland, taken right away.
16:41Here come the Sixers again.
16:44Quinton leaves it.
16:45Bona.
16:46Get a walking violation.
16:48Yeah.
16:51Nick Nurse, Argonne, he didn't have possession.
16:56That was a good look.
16:58Good pass.
16:59Just got sped up a little bit.
17:01Maybe Nick Nurse is right, but it did look awkward.
17:04Looked like a traveler.
17:06So Andre Drummond on the floor for the 76ers.
17:08Now in his 14th year.
17:10Missed three games with back spasms.
17:12Came back at a big night the other night.
17:1417 rebounds in that win over the Blazers.
17:17Gordon challenged number three.
17:21Cameron Payne also in for the 76ers right now.
17:24Long rebound.
17:25And run down by Murray.
17:30And on the screen of Jokic, looking for room.
17:32Kicks it out.
17:33Hardaway.
17:34Got it.
17:35Line drive.
17:36Jump a good for three.
17:37I mean, just an empty ball screen where Jokic and another player.
17:44Two guys on one side, three on the other side.
17:47You hit Jokic on the roll.
17:48He sprays it out to Tim Hardaway Jr. for three.
17:5176ers, one of seven beyond the arc.
17:54And Denver right now, 60% from three-point range.
17:58Mostly set up by Jokic.
17:59This one tipped out.
18:01It'll stay at this end.
18:03So you watch here, Terry, coming off the ball screen.
18:06Just Murray and Jokic on the left side.
18:08As soon as that low man comes over to rotate, Jokic makes the read.
18:12Tim Hardaway Jr. laced it up.
18:14Has there been a better big man passing in the game than Nikola Jokic?
18:19I don't think there's been a better passing big man that also is leading the league in, you know, assists,
18:27triple doubles, rebounds, scoring.
18:29Like, it's the combination of the passing.
18:33It's not just a big man passing.
18:35Yeah.
18:35He's also an MVP as the best big man passer.
18:38Marjan Beauchamp in off the bench, Tony Lockford as well.
18:42But there's another three.
18:44Brown this time from the deep corner.
18:47Jokic with seven assists already on the night.
18:51Wow.
18:58Floater up and corral.
19:00Here come the Nuggets again, who look to run.
19:02Highest scoring team in the NBA.
19:05Almost 121 points a game.
19:08Jokic had taken away.
19:09Drummond will start and give it off to Payne.
19:15Watford, who's been more of a facilitator, and that's a great look.
19:19Downloaded Drummond.
19:20That's a great pass by Watford in transition.
19:23And just continuing to attack early in transition is going to be key for both teams.
19:28Got caught on the switch.
19:30The roll round.
19:31The easy deuce.
19:35At times, this offense, they make it look easy.
19:40When your best players are willing passer.
19:42Yeah.
19:43Your offense is at high power at all times.
19:46They got ten field goals on ten assists.
19:50Pump fake defender flies by.
19:52Murray's got one.
19:54Everybody's getting into the act.
19:56It's 31-16.
19:59Ball is not sticking.
20:01They're moving it.
20:02They're sharing it.
20:03They're playing the game the way it's designed to be played.
20:06Shooting 71% from three-point range.
20:10Sixers look for the answer and get it.
20:13Marjan Bochamp, who's had to play during this run in his seventh game,
20:19and he's giving them quality minutes.
20:27Wilson and Watford going to argue this foul cold.
20:31And Nick Nurse as well.
20:33Take a look at tonight's DraftKings King of the Court tracker.
20:36DraftKings, the number one sportsbook for live betting.
20:39To get in on the action, download the app, and use promo code DUNK when you sign up.
20:50Welcome back to Denver.
20:52You see, Sixers guard campaign has had one of the more unique NBA journeys in his 11-year career.
20:59So, it all started back in 2015 when he was the 14th overall pick.
21:05And since then, he has played for seven NBA teams.
21:09And along the way in 2019, Payne played in China.
21:12And earlier this season, Payne was in Serbia playing in the EuroLeague
21:15before getting an unexpected call from the Sixers to rush back to the NBA.
21:20Payne told me the biggest difference between playing in the NBA and overseas
21:23is that in the NBA, you have more individual attention,
21:26help from coaches, trainers, nutritionists, and so on.
21:28As for the lifestyle, he said it was really hard being away from the family.
21:31But most importantly, on a side note, he said it had quite the challenge
21:35finding food that he likes.
21:36He said he found a couple go-to spots in Serbia,
21:39but China was very difficult for him.
21:41As he told me, American Chinese food is totally different than Chinese food in China.
21:46Make sure to put that note in your food blog, Terry.
21:48I gotcha.
21:49Notice how he prefaced that by saying most importantly,
21:52and then he got to the food around the globe.
21:55Yeah, it's been an amazing run for him.
21:58Victor said it took him four or five games just to get back in the rhythm of NBA play
22:03when he came back in, but really pleased with what he's given him as of late.
22:08Hardaway loses out of bounds.
22:09Going to stay at this end.
22:12Sixers won a review.
22:16I want the challenge.
22:19Bruce Brown, eighth-year man, he's back in Denver, comes back on the floor.
22:27They tried to get the timeout to challenge.
22:30You're going to call the offensive foul.
22:55Quick whistle at this end away from the ball.
23:07And now, Adaman will argue this.
23:11And as Valanciunas gets set to check into the game.
23:15And Jokic just got a technical intentionally.
23:19He wanted it.
23:20He told him to call it.
23:25So, Adaman will go to the line as we take a look.
23:30Yeah, he just wrapped him up, didn't he?
23:31Yeah, but he was just trying to prove a point that that's what Drummond was doing to him at the
23:35other end.
23:36Not sure if it was that egregious, but in terms of what Drummond was doing.
23:39Would you prove a point that way?
23:41I mean, if I was as good as him, yes.
23:43So, young kids will take a seat.
23:47And Jonas Valanciunas comes on for him.
23:51All right, Sixers looking for a little rhythm offensively now.
23:54Edgecombe.
23:56And Drummond down low.
23:58Leaves it.
23:59Coach Ant.
24:00Going to back his way in.
24:01Use his body.
24:02Kick it out.
24:04Locked for three on the shot clock.
24:06Got to go.
24:06Drummond off the heel.
24:09Hardaway tips it over.
24:11As soon as it.
24:16Under two minutes to go here in the first.
24:21Cam Johnson, who Adamant wants to look to be more aggressive offensively.
24:27Spencer Jones with the deep corner three.
24:29Another nugget from beyond the arc.
24:33There's six of eight in the game.
24:36Backdoor good look from Drummond, and it's Watford with a deuce.
24:41And you see the Sixers, especially without their star players, they're almost going to have to score all of their
24:46points in transition.
24:47There just won't be space in the half court.
24:50You don't have the guys that can create the advantage.
24:52So, they're going to have to keep pushing the score and quit.
24:54Quick release.
24:55Hardaway tipped out of bounds.
24:58Philadelphia basketball.
24:59Through this run, where they've had all the injuries, though, the thing, Nick Nurse has been really happy about the
25:04energy they've played with.
25:05They play hard every single night.
25:07And that's, I mean, he deserves a lot of credit for that.
25:10His coaching staff.
25:12That's as much about how everybody shows up every day as it is how good they are at basketball.
25:18We're going to give it back to the Nuggets.
25:19Yeah, it's your culture.
25:21It's your day-by-day habits.
25:22You can still show up with joy even though you're struggling through some ups and downs.
25:27A finger injury.
25:27Tyrese Maxey out for at least a couple more weeks.
25:30Joel Embiid close to getting back.
25:32Embiid with that right oblique strain.
25:34He's missed the last nine games and so many games throughout the season and throughout his career.
25:40Paul George's suspension.
25:41March 25th.
25:42He'll come back.
25:43Kelly Oubre, Jr., also out of the lineup with an elbow.
25:48It would be nice to have those four guys in the lineup, I would say.
25:51You think?
25:56His handle.
25:58And the turnover gives it back to Philadelphia.
26:01Fifth turnover for the Nuggets tonight.
26:11It's the running conversation right now as he brings it up.
26:27The Nuggets try to go two for one here, Terry.
26:35Hardaway around the screen.
26:36Rises.
26:37Nope.
26:38Bad miss.
26:39Followed up and good.
26:43He wanted to fall as well.
26:45He did.
26:46Still kind of works out.
26:47The Nuggets will get two shot attempts, most likely to the Sixers one, even though the shot by Hardaway the
26:53first time wasn't the best one.
26:55Yeah, about five-second difference shot clock and game clock, so should have time.
26:58As Payne's going to run this now.
27:00We've got five on the shot clock now around that screen.
27:02Floater in the lane doesn't get the bounce.
27:07Scramble underneath.
27:08It's going to be Denver basketball, 5.1.
27:16And Jamal Murray will come back in.
27:18Prespencer Jones.
27:22In the quarter situation, Jamal Murray, one second per dribble.
27:26He can push this ball up the floor and get a quality shot up.
27:29If the field is going to keep it himself, on the run, spins in and out, and that'll do it.
27:36So the quick start for the Nuggets and the hot start from beyond the arc, 38-22 is the lead
27:44here in the mile high, as you are watching Coast to Coast Tuesday, presented by Kia.
27:59Excited about this MLB opening day is on NBC and Peacock to lead off the Pirates, visit the Mets, and
28:05then in prime time, it's the Diamondbacks taking on the World Series champs.
28:09The Dodgers comes your way March 26th on NBC and Peacock come out the eight assists in the first quarter
28:16for Nikola Jokic.
28:21Does have the two fouls, taking a seat on the bench, campaigned with a miss, loose ball, foul on the
28:27rebound as the Dambona came up with it.
28:29Yeah, again, Terry, that your best players, and they are willing passers.
28:35I mean, you saw the Pacers make that deep run into the finals last year, pushed the Thunder to seven
28:40games.
28:41Tyrese Halliburton is a willing passer.
28:43He advances the ball.
28:44Jokic, willing passer, advances the ball.
28:47And that's how you create great chemistry on the court.
28:50And the Nuggets have it right now.
28:52Watford in the lane.
28:53Got his own miss to the left hand, up and under.
28:56Nice follow, Trenton Watford.
28:59Yeah, and right now, we talk about getting healthy at the right time, Denver.
29:03That's also an adjustment, right?
29:05Because you're finding out things about that lineup and the other ways you can play,
29:10because now you've got the option of going to different lineups.
29:13It's a huge adjustment.
29:15And, I mean, Bruce Brown obviously has returned to Denver after being here previously,
29:18but Spencer Jones is a guy that has gotten better each year.
29:22He's earned minutes.
29:23Cam Johnson's a new player to the team.
29:25They're adjusting to him.
29:26He's adjusting as well.
29:28Jonas Valanciunas, also new to the team.
29:31So there's a lot of adjusting still going on, even though their core has been attacked.
29:34Yeah.
29:35Spencer, that foot on the line and the turnover giving it back to Philadelphia's campaign.
29:40Can I pull up?
29:41A little bit short.
29:42Melanchunas clears.
29:46Pull up Hardaway.
29:48Yeah, I've seen him do that a few times through the years.
29:51I mean, Tim Hardaway, Jr., man, he is getting his shot attempts up.
29:57Not bashful at all.
29:58Seven attempts in about seven and a half minutes.
30:01And the struggles continue for Philadelphia.
30:03Two of 13 beyond the arc for the Sixers.
30:07They just clear out Valanciunas.
30:10Oh, and he throws it down.
30:11Overboning.
30:12Oh.
30:14JV, 17.
30:16He's finished.
30:18Wow.
30:22Dangerous time right now for the Sixers.
30:25Just letting us get away from them on the road.
30:29Good lead for Watford.
30:30Had it blocked.
30:32Five on the shot clock.
30:33Pain floats.
30:34Nope.
30:34Short.
30:36Yes, interesting, Terry.
30:37Like, no, that's going up.
30:39Oh, good pass.
30:42Ground.
30:43Body control.
30:44Off the glass and in.
30:46Another timeout taking my Philadelphia.
30:51And a 7-0-1 for the Nuggets to extend this lead, their largest of the night, with authority.
31:01Yonahs.
31:03Big man over big man.
31:05Yeah.
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31:29So, some legends that played for both the Nuggets and the Sixers.
31:33Allen Iverson had to be fun to guard.
31:36Depends on what you described as fun.
31:38That is subjective.
31:39At best.
31:40It's a few times, huh?
31:41Yeah, quite a few times.
31:44You know, Allen was in the Eastern Conference most of his career.
31:47He had a short stint with the Memphis Grizzlies.
31:50But every time he played the Sixers, man, even when he was here in Denver, like, they ran action for
31:58him.
31:58So, we were involved in every defensive possession, whatever you regard to Allen Iverson.
32:04No possessions off.
32:05Dale and Terry on for the Sixers now.
32:08Foul is called down low on the push.
32:13Cam Johnson picking up his second.
32:15Sixers trying to get out after the block by Bonin there in transition.
32:18You mentioned it earlier.
32:19It's going to be important.
32:20Then, tonight, they had those two quick possessions where they got something in transition and not much sense.
32:27And here's the tricky part, right?
32:29Is the pace still has to have purpose because styles can still make fights, right?
32:34And we used to come to Denver and play the Nuggets, and we had some of the best teams in
32:38the league.
32:39But we knew the Nuggets were great in transition.
32:41We knew the advantage of the mile-high field.
32:44I was going to say, did it matter you were playing at altitude?
32:46Yes.
32:46So, there were nights where if it wasn't, I mean, a phenomenal, great look, we held off on an early
32:52transition look.
32:53Not to get in that type of game.
32:55Not to get into that up-and-down type of game with the home team at times.
32:58Missed by Grimes.
32:59Kyle Lowry, by the way, the veteran, 20-year man and six-time All-Star, on for the Sixers now.
33:06Brown trying to go to work on Terry.
33:09How are you?
33:09I fell in tune as a bit of a mismatch.
33:14Oh, the quick hands, Lowry.
33:16The veteran on the line.
33:19I don't think he possessed it before he stepped out, though, so the shot clock should still stay at 2
33:24.3.
33:24Yeah, 2.3, that's it.
33:27Yeah, little difference there.
33:28Who got the better end of it, though?
33:30Yeah, quick hands, Kyle Lowry.
33:32And even for Nick Nurse to go to Kyle Lowry right now, recognizing these young guys, they need a captain,
33:36they need a floor general,
33:38somebody that can get their offense into rhythm.
33:40That's what he is for that now in his 20th year.
33:43Valanchunas had to let it go.
33:45Get the rebound.
33:46Hardaway, another chance.
33:47And another offensive rebound for Denver.
33:50Just controlling the glass.
33:56Cam Johnson switches hands a couple of times.
33:59Fight!
34:01Camichunas eventually with the board.
34:03Okay, Big Della.
34:04Wow.
34:06And they are just owning the glass 23-9.
34:10They have out-rebounded Philadelphia.
34:14Edwards, finally a three for the Sixers.
34:17I mean, I think the rebounding, you know, you saw last night, Spurs-Clippers game as well.
34:23Like, the three-point shot is just creating so many more opportunities to win extra possessions.
34:29Long shots, long rebounds.
34:30Rebounds.
34:31Yeah.
34:31And you don't just instinctively think that way as a rebound.
34:38Lowry, one of just two active players in their 20th year or more.
34:44The other one, of course, is LeBron.
34:50So Edwards around the bonus screen.
34:52Picked up Valanchunas.
34:54Actually didn't challenge.
34:56I'm in a wide-open pre-throw line jumper.
34:58No good.
34:58Starts the break for the Nuggets.
35:00Johnson on the move.
35:01Going to draw the foul.
35:08You see players at times now, Justin Edwards with the pull-up, almost feeling uncomfortable in the mid-range.
35:14See here, Camp Johnson.
35:17A little bit of contact.
35:19Maybe Terry is sliding a little bit on the block.
35:21They call it on Terry.
35:22So, at the other end, it's just been so difficult for the Sixers.
35:27Shooting 31% overall from the floor.
35:32First one, goodbye Johnson.
35:34A look at the upcoming national TV schedule tomorrow on ESPN.
35:37Warriors taking on Celtics.
35:39Lakers are red hot right now.
35:41Taking on the Rockets Thursday on NBA TV.
35:43Magic and the Hornets, 7 Eastern.
35:46For more on these games, go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
35:52Did you expect the Lakers to be doing what they're doing right now?
35:57I mean, I think their record, yes.
35:59How they got here, I don't think it was as much expected, right?
36:03It's been really up and down.
36:04But did they have a roster that could be a top-four team in the Western Conference?
36:09Yes.
36:09And they're starting to realize that potential and play a good basketball at the right time.
36:15Edwards lost it out of bounds.
36:17Didn't go back to the Nuggets.
36:19How dangerous can they be, the Lakers, in the playoffs?
36:23Well, you have...
36:26It comes down to matchups, I know.
36:27It definitely comes down to matchups.
36:29But Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reeves are three really good NBA players.
36:34So, they're going to have a chance every night.
36:37I think the question will be, can they hold on to three, right?
36:41The Rockets, the Nuggets, the Timberwolves, all those teams are right there, three, four, five, six.
36:48So, how does that play out?
36:49Who has home court?
36:51And then who's the healthiest by the time we get to mid-April?
36:55And all of that unfolding over the next couple of weeks as we head to mid-April.
37:00Lowry in and out.
37:02Round clears it.
37:07Up and under for Brown, off the glass and in, Bruce this time.
37:13And not really challenged defensively.
37:15And it's 53-27.
37:18This one has been all Denver since the opening tip.
37:25What's hard, too, for...
37:27You see, Justin Edwards with the look there.
37:31Terry, nifty move, off the glass and in, up and under, the outstretched Armour Brown.
37:37What's hard is, especially for younger teams, and all teams at this point, because the game is so offensive-focused,
37:45when your shots are not falling, your defensive intensity, energy focus isn't there.
37:50And that's really what's hurting the Sixers as much as them not making shots.
37:54I mean, the Nuggets are on pace to score 70 points in the first half.
37:57And that's where the problems start to come in.
38:00So, you have to get stops first, and then you can get out and score and make it some easy.
38:03And look, it is a tall order.
38:05You're playing the top offensive team in the league.
38:08Spin, fadeaway, Murray, yes.
38:10And he's been doing that all season long.
38:12Averaging more than 25 points a game.
38:15And a first-time All-Star, well-deserved.
38:20Terry.
38:21Yep.
38:23Got it to go.
38:32There's no one in the same area code, which kind of makes the shot tougher sometimes.
38:38It looked that way.
38:39Somebody's got to go.
38:40Like, somebody's, you need three white jerseys running.
38:43Somebody's got a challenge.
38:44Yes.
38:46Got the kick, and it will stay here.
38:50And here comes Nikoli Jokic back in.
38:54So, Jamal Murray operating isolation.
38:58Pivot foot balance makes the game look so easy.
39:02That is not an easy shot to make, but he makes it look that way.
39:07Having a career year, Murray is, in every aspect, too.
39:12And down the stretch, clutch points.
39:14He's in the top three.
39:16Only SGA and Tyrese Maxey ahead of them.
39:19What a lob from Edgecombe and the finish for Grimes.
39:22Great pass by Edgecombe.
39:24I mean, he's showing some ability to be an initiator of offense, which gets really interesting when the sixes are
39:31after a sprint.
39:32Guess who's back on the floor.
39:34And guess what?
39:34Another assist for Jokic.
39:37Brown's got 12 points in the game.
39:41Nikola again starts the break.
39:44Murray got hit hard in the bucket.
39:49Faked the lob and kept it to the left hand.
39:55Faked the lob and kept it to the left hand in the second half, the first night of a back
39:56-to-back for the Nuggets.
39:56Jamal Murray, again, that's not easy either, but he used his left hand through the contact, finish and transition.
40:09Veteran team, Terry, they smelled an opportunity to stretch this game out in a way that they don't have to
40:16play a lot of minutes in the second half.
40:18First night of a back-to-back for the Nuggets.
40:20You see the season and the career highs throughout, so just having one of those years, and he's had to.
40:27Now, he's missed some games, too, not many, but the rest of the starting lineup has been out, so it's
40:34fallen to him.
40:35You start to see, you and I were talking before the game, the NBA season is such a long season
40:40that your whole plan at the beginning of the season, you can have one,
40:44but you know it's going to change five, six, seven, twenty-five times by the time you get to March
40:50and April.
40:51And more so now, I mean, with the pace of the games, the way the game is being played, some
40:58of the soft tissue challenges and injuries,
41:00like you're going to go through multiple iterations of what your team looks like,
41:04but I think a lot of these coaches are enjoying that opportunity to find out about other guys, to try
41:09different lineups,
41:10and I know Coach Adam and Coach Nurse are having some fun trying to move those pieces around.
41:15Dominic Barlow changes directions and it just threw it away, and Jokic may have, as well, goes back to the
41:25Sixers.
41:26And it's a serious question, I mean, you think it is fun for, like, a Nick Nurse to have to
41:31adapt to all these injuries?
41:32You don't welcome it.
41:34You don't want it.
41:35But as a pure coach, you think there's an aspect to it that you kind of enjoy?
41:41I mean, it depends on what day you ask him.
41:44You know, if you're Nick Nurse, you, of course, you want Joel Embiid, Paul George, Thomas Max.
41:49I mean, that's a given.
41:50Yes, that's a given.
41:51But I'm saying from a pure coaching standpoint, to get everything out of, then players who have to step up
41:58during this time.
41:59Coaches are teachers.
42:02And teachers love to find new ways, creative ways, innovative ways to reach their students.
42:08But when your students already have the answers, what is there to teach?
42:12That's a good point.
42:13And so when your best players are all there, oftentimes coaches have to just kind of stay out of the
42:18way.
42:18You know, there's not always a lot to do.
42:20And so when you're forced to dig in your bag as a coach and figure out new ways, we have
42:25to adjust this baseline out-of-bounds action
42:27because our personnel is different.
42:29We've got to think about playing more zone than we normally would.
42:31By the way, fun exercises.
42:33This has gone back and forth.
42:34Jokic's already got a technical.
42:35Drummond just picked up a foul, and it continues here.
42:39And another whistle.
42:41Drummond, drummond, well, drummond through a little chicken wing.
42:44Yep.
42:45He just got caught again.
42:48And the crowd loves it.
42:54But he and Jokic still talking.
42:56For a young team, basically down 30, your veteran big, just still being chippy and being willing to still fight
43:04and scratch and claw for everything, making Jokic work.
43:07He's got his hands behind his back right now, just to prove a point.
43:12Good swing of the basketball.
43:14Good swing of the basketball.
43:14Jokic arrives his cool jumper there.
43:18And you're looking more and more for that man to think that way and be that player that he has
43:23been at times.
43:26Which is just being himself.
43:27Yeah.
43:29Edge gone.
43:32Harlow gives him another look.
43:34Pain over ground.
43:36Yep.
43:36That was pure.
43:38Long range lefty jumper.
43:41Averaging about 15 a game.
43:44His last five when they've needed him to step up.
43:47Campaigns is such a great example of everybody's journey's different.
44:01It's one of those nights falling out of bounds with contact set up again by you-know-who.
44:08And we'll go to the line when weak levels by providing an opportunity to develop a lifelong passion for basketball.
44:15Learn the fundamentals and experience the impact of teamwork through league play.
44:18Scan the code to find a league near you.
44:22Ball arena.
44:23And it's been all nuggets tonight.
44:26Up by 30.
44:33So he got the three.
44:34Didn't add the one.
44:37This is where you find out about how good your habits are as a pro.
44:42Because you're not supposed to be playing the score anyway.
44:47Rhymes with the miss.
44:48One and done that time.
44:49And here comes Aaron Gordon back on the floor.
44:54Step back.
44:55Jumper.
44:56No.
44:57And Barlow to clear.
44:59Looking ahead.
45:00Drummond on the run.
45:01Going to kick it.
45:02Edge come out of the finish.
45:03So more and more of that.
45:05Philadelphia hoping for.
45:07Expecting tonight.
45:10Those are the easiest ones to get.
45:11A missed shot.
45:12Gordon went down.
45:13Five against four.
45:17Three against three and ten tonight though.
45:19Cam Johnson got hit.
45:21Paying the foul.
45:22Chance for three.
45:24It's great action by the Nuggets.
45:27Strong side entry.
45:29Flare screen.
45:30Backside is empty there.
45:32And Cam Johnson to the front of the bats.
45:35We'll see if he can convert the free throw this time.
45:38He's got 14 in the game already.
45:40And on five of six.
45:42And Jokic in double figures.
45:44In terms of assists.
45:46He's got ten.
45:47Well that's the interesting.
45:49You know kind of balance here.
45:50Jokic is not shooting the ball at the rate that maybe he would in other games.
45:54And so there are additional field goal attempts out on the floor.
45:58And that's setting up Jokic to have the ten assists.
46:00He's moving the ball to Sharon.
46:01Oh he's one of three.
46:02That's a great look.
46:04Blocked by Edgecombe.
46:05But the foul.
46:06How quickly he got back there.
46:08And elevated.
46:10Yeah I mean it was a great pass.
46:12Right.
46:12But.
46:13I.
46:15I don't know if they.
46:17I think they should.
46:19Uh yeah I mean.
46:20He hit him on the back of the head.
46:22No body contact.
46:23Yeah you know what.
46:24He's still got to be impressed.
46:26Yeah no I mean that was a phenomenal defensive play.
46:28Wow.
46:29And again down 30.
46:30You don't just give up.
46:31Win the game.
46:32So that shows you what kind of player he is internally.
46:36And those are the types of young guys that you can build around.
46:39Now the flip side is it's his third foul.
46:46Brown.
46:46He's had an injury riddled season as well.
46:49Told you he missed 36 games.
46:51Still looking for him.
46:52And he did it earlier here in the first quarter.
46:55But to get a little more consistent beyond the arc.
46:57Shoots just 29 percent from three point range.
47:01Role players are often times most impacted by the injuries and the lineup changes.
47:08Barlow in and out.
47:09Murray high into the air for the board.
47:11The offense isn't as fluid.
47:12You don't have the timing and rhythm.
47:14And so for guys like Christian Brown as they get healthier where his shots come from.
47:21What spots he's going to operate from.
47:22Where he's going to be cutting from.
47:24All of that becomes clear.
47:25Certainly affects his explosion as well out here.
47:28He doesn't quite have the same.
47:30Even though he's got the wind and the conditioning.
47:33Pain.
47:33And they continue to struggle from three point range.
47:36But confidence wise.
47:37It's got to affect your confidence too.
47:41Tries at this time.
47:42Nope.
47:44That it's going to be key that those are the types of shots that he can make.
47:48He adds a lot of value to this team.
47:50But timely threes as a role player.
47:53Everybody.
47:54Tipped out of bounds.
47:55It'll stay with the Sixers.
48:02Largest first half differential.
48:04It's 29 against Portland.
48:08It's 71-38.
48:09Do the math.
48:13Throwing away.
48:14It goes right back to Denver.
48:20Yeah.
48:21Philadelphia's going to have to just.
48:22They're going to have to find it at halftime.
48:23Man.
48:24They can't just completely give up and allow this game to.
48:27Turn into a 50-60 point situation.
48:31Going to get Murray for the push off that time.
48:33Offensive foul on Jamal.
48:34I mean we're not going to keep hammering these points.
48:37Because it is that kind of night and they've got all the injuries.
48:40But Denver's got 20 assists in the game.
48:42Philadelphia's got 16 field goals.
48:44It's been that kind of night.
48:46It has been.
48:46It has been.
48:47And Jokic set the tone though in terms of the passing and creating great shots for his teammates.
48:53Quinton Brimes trying to go to work on Murray.
48:57Gets in the lane.
48:58Sets up Payne.
49:00Right past the defender.
49:01Another floater for Camp Payne.
49:02He's hit a couple of those.
49:06Murray just got hit in that shoulder too.
49:08Part of his struggles against the Lakers was that shoulder.
49:13He couldn't even extend really on the shots.
49:20If that's Edgecombe, that's his fourth.
49:25Yeah, Jamal Martin was open for a couple of seconds.
49:27As you see him still shaking the shoulder out there.
49:29Edgecombe said he had on basketball.
49:32See if we can get a look at that.
49:34And by the way, it wasn't a couple of seconds.
49:36It was about five or six.
49:39Yeah, that's where he got hit.
49:43Inadvertently.
49:45But that is the fourth foul on Vijay Edgecombe.
49:52Down back in Spencer Jones back in.
49:56Murray Murray didn't like the way his shoulder felt on that free throw attempt.
50:01We'll see if he even plays in the second half.
50:03Yeah, look at him.
50:04Yeah.
50:13So Edgecombe to the bench.
50:15Along with Barlow.
50:19Back on the floor.
50:21Gets the rebound.
50:23Look to run it up.
50:25Reach on Brown.
50:27Foul to give.
50:28Yep.
50:306.6.
50:31So they stopped the clock with the foul.
50:36Stopped the penetration with the foul.
50:42Vijay Evan Words over there on the sideline.
50:46Edwards.
50:48Going to swing it.
50:49Payne had it blocked.
50:51Ground.
50:51And that will do it here in the first half.
50:59So Denver shooting 53 percent beyond the arc in Philadelphia just 17 percent.
51:05They're four of 24 from three-point range here in the first half.
51:09And it is a 32-point lead for the home team.
51:13The number five seed in the West taking on the number nine seed in the East who are playing obviously
51:20shorthanded tonight with all the injuries and without four of their starters.
51:25The number 5.
51:25The number of glimpse.
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