Denver Nuggets Fall Short to New Orleans Pelicans, 100-112

The New Orleans Pelicans defeated Denver Nuggets for the second time this season, only now they did it at Pepsi Center. The result of the final Christmas Day game was 112-100 for New Orleans.

Led by a fantastic Brandon Ingram, the guests from the Big Easy managed to pull away in the late part of the game and stun the hosts, who were, by the way, pretty bad in this one.

“We don’t have a matchup for Brandon Ingram. I have to do a better job,” said Michael Malone after the match.

Monster game from Brandon Ingram tonight 💪

31 PTS
7 Threes (career-high)
7 REBS pic.twitter.com/G3kzRufcB5

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 26, 2019

The former Lakers’ forward dropped 31 points, setting the new franchise record for Christmas Day games. Apart from that, he had 7 boards and was 11 for 18 from the game, hitting fantastic 7 threes in 9 attempts, his career-high. Whenever Pelicans needed to score, the ball went to him, and he would routinely solve the situation.

A 13-2 run over the closing five and a half minutes knocked out the second-placed team in the West. The Nuggets couldn’t defend long-distance shots very well, allowing six threes in 10 attempts in the final quarter only. Malone was more than unhappy with the way his team played defense in tonight’s contest, and he wasn’t restraining himself from expressing that.

“It’s a big concern for me because early in the year that was our calling card…how do we find a way to keep the defense where it was while still keeping the offense firing on all cylinders? … Our defense has taken a giant step back.”

Denver was bad on the glass, allowing the Pelicans to outrebound them 52-41. Apart from Jokic, nobody had more than 10 boards, and this was something that hurt the hosts a lot. Also, it needs to be said that Denver’s three-point percentage in the crucial moments of the match was below any decent standard. But even with all that, the Nuggets were always close, yet without strength to turn the tables.

Nikola Jokic was the only one who would show some will for competing in the final 12 minutes, but the Serbian fella couldn’t do very much on his own. He ended the night with 23 points, 10 boards, and 4 assists.

Jerami Grant had 17 points off the bench, Gary Harris 15, Malik Beasley 13. Jamal Murray once again had a terrible night, with 8 points in 28 minutes, and only two hits in 10 tries.

For the Pelicans, Jrue Holiday added 20 buckets with 6 steals, backing up all the stories that he might be in the closest selection for the Defensive Player of the Year. Holiday also assisted 8 times.

Josh Hart added 16, missing one of his five shots from behind the arc. JJ Redick had 15.

What is important for Alvin Gentry’s side is that they started playing well after a series of 13 straight losses. This was the Pelicans’ second win in the recent three matches, and following a win over the Timberwolves, they’ve beat another conference rival.

Up next, the Pelicans (9-23) host, the Indiana Pacers on Friday and after that, await the Houston Rockets on Sun day.

As for the Nuggets (21-9) who lost for the first time following seven victories in a row, they have two more matches at home before hitting the road for a five-game journey. At first, they await the Memphis Grizzlies, this Saturday, and then the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.