After much being made about the Nuggets getting off to poor starts in first quarters, accumulating in the second-worst first-quarter efficiency in the league this season, Michael Malone made a change to his starting lineup and inserted Darrell Arthur for Kenneth Faried. Jameer Nelson also started for Emmanuel Mudiay who sat out tonight’s matchup with a right ankle injury.
The results were positive, at first. Denver’s starters outscored Washington’s 17-5 to start the game and powered Denver to a 29-18 lead at the end of the first quarter, but ultimately tired legs and turnovers led to a 92-85 Wizards victory.