When Gary Harris knocked down a dagger of a jump shot against the Cavaliers with 1:45 to play, it not only put that game away – the Nuggets fourth straight road victory – it was the latest example this season of a player making a big shot at a critical moment. And there have been many
“Our go-to guy,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said, “is our open guy.”
With a 7-5 record, the Nuggets have been good in close games – contests decided by three points or less – all season long. And there are no doubt more to come as the Western Conference playoff race winds its way toward a frantic finish.
But what is the Nuggets DNA in tight contests?
It’s good, and getting better.
NBA.com keeps “clutch” statistics, defined as the last five minutes of a game, ahead or behind, with a five-point differential. The Nuggets have been in that specific type of situation 30 times this season, and have a 15-15 record. And they’ve been improving as the months have progressed, going 6-2 in clutch situations in their last eight opportunities.
HOW THE NUGGETS PERFORM WHEN TIME IS RUNNING OUT
*Clutch time in a game is defined as: 5 or fewer minutes, ahead or behind, with a 5-point differential
SEASON OVERALL (15-15):
Points average: 7.8
FG percentage: 42.6
3FG percentage: 28.3
FT percentage: 83.7
Turnovers: 1.4