Nuggets’ Will Barton: If defense matched offense, Denver could put teams away by halftime

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) slam dunks over Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) and Denver Nuggets forward Torrey Craig (3) in first quarter at the Pepsi Center on Jan. 15, 2019.MEMPHIS – Veterans Paul Millsap and Will Barton know that for the Nuggets to reach their potential – or even just hold their own with six of their next seven games on the road – their defense can’t be negotiable.

Lately it has been.

In all but one of Denver’s last seven games, opponents have reached at least 30 points in the first quarter. In Saturday’s win over Philadelphia, that number swelled to 37.

“We should’ve put (the 76ers) away (early),” Millsap said. “Against a good team, we’re going to…