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Denver Nuggets: NBA’s toughest arena is the Pepsi Center

By James Siegle

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 5: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets gets hyped as he prepares to defend Kyrie Irving (11) of the Boston Celtics during the second half of the Nuggets' 115-107 win on Monday, November 5, 2018. Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets had a game and career high 48 points. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 5: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets gets hyped as he prepares to defend Kyrie Irving (11) of the Boston Celtics during the second half of the Nuggets' 115-107 win on Monday, November 5, 2018. Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets had a game and career high 48 points. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets are off to a historic 9-1 start, including a 6-0 record at home. The Pepsi Center has quickly become a miserable place for opponents.

The Denver Nuggets are validating offseason hype, kicking off the 2018-19 season with a scorching 9-1 record. They hold an impressive 6-0 mark at home, begging the question: Is the Pepsi Center worthy of league-wide terror?

The season is just over three weeks old. Yet, the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics have already been toppled at “The Can.” Only one question remains for the Nuggets: Who’s next?

Check out Denver’s highlights in 2018-19 home games thus far:

  • 6-0 record
  • Victories over Golden State and Boston
  • Point differential of +10.8, (tied for sixth-best in the NBA)
  • Defensive rating of 100.5 (fourth-best)
  • 102.4 points allowed (fourth-best)
  • 32.7 opponent 3-point percentage (sixth-best)

Even in 2017-18, Denver posted a 31-10 record at home. If road play had even been average, this squad would’ve qualified for the postseason. The Nuggets appear gritty, balanced and put together in 2018-19. Just imagine the potential home-court greatness.

Take Monday’s game against Boston, for instance.

Facing a huge deficit against the Celtics, Denver appeared unfazed. The Nuggets locked down defensively, and one player stepped up in a special way. Jamal Murray‘s 48 points spearheaded the comeback. He even took a late shot at 50 — a competitor’s move that drew the attention of Boston’s Kyrie Irving.

Irving threw the ball into the crowd postgame, and had this to say afterwards, per ESPN:

"“I mean, what kind of competitor wouldn’t it bother?” Irving said. “I understand if we fouled him, going to the free throw line. … I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.“Obviously, I was pissed at the game, but it’s time to decompress and move on. Congratulations to him having 48 points. He did it in a great fashion against us. Our defense has to be better, especially against a player like that in the pick-and-roll. He was the primary concern tonight and he made us pay in certain instances of making some tough shots and some tough layups.“But the ball deserves to go in the crowd after a bulls–t move like that. So I threw it in the crowd.”"

The Nuggets’ 2018-19 season is best summarized by this moment. NBA superstars are throwing tantrums after frustrating losses in Denver. The league’s best squads are galloping into town…and then leaving empty-handed.

It’s the Pepsi Center effect, and it’s a welcome one for an arena that’s ranked near the bottom of the league in attendance the last few years.

So now what? Wednesday night the Nuggets host the 8-2 Milwaukee Bucks, which is no small challenge. Consider this another opportunity for Denver to flex its home court muscles.

The Nuggets already have the league’s attention with their 9-1 start. Other squads notice when mighty Golden State limps home with a brutal loss.

Week 4 NBA Power Rankings. dark. Next

Until further notice, consider Pepsi Center the league’s toughest arena to visit.

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