Denver Nuggets: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 season opener

The Denver Nuggets knocked off the Los Angeles Clippers 107-98 in Wednesday’s season opener. What did fans learn in this early glimpse of the 2018-19 Nuggets?

The Denver Nuggets used a late 19-3 run to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 107-98 in Wednesday’s season opener. Battling an inconsistent performance, Denver pulled together in the closing minutes to overcome a late eight-point deficit.

Trailing 92-84 at the 5:14 mark, things were beginning to look bleak for for the Nuggets. However all five starters scored in the ensuing minutes, as a well-balanced effort shifted the tide.

Denver entered the second half with a five-point lead before proceeding to score just 15 points in the third quarter. The Nuggets then struggled to contain the Clippers center Boban Marjanovic, allowing him 10 points in the opening five minutes of fourth quarter action. By the time they adjusted defensively, Los Angeles had the lead and momentum. This created the need for a late-game surge.

The first half was also an up-and-down affair for the Nuggets. Trey Lyles‘ bucket at the 8:22 mark of the second quarter put Denver up 42-31. However, it lost this cushion, as LAC erased the deficit and created a three-point margin of its own. Eventually, the Nuggets regained a 59-54 halftime lead.

Although Denver’s performance had its inconsistencies, it was good to see the gritty dub. Here are three takeaways from the Nuggets’ hard-nosed win over Los Angeles.