Coach Adelman reveals why blowouts create championship-caliber teams.
The Denver Nuggets came out of the All-Star break and absolutely destroyed the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103 on Friday night in one of the most dominant performances in franchise history.
Everything clicked from start to finish, and the starters were resting on the bench before the fourth quarter even mattered.
For head coach David Adelman, that kind of result carries extra value beyond just getting a win, and he explained after the game exactly why blowouts are so important for a team with championship goals.
Adelman on Why Blowouts Build Dynasties
"In the NBA, these are the most valuable wins because you can sit guys," Adelman said. "It's an extra 45 minutes to an hour of them off their feet. It's so valuable. And that's why the better teams, the great teams over the course of time, the dynasties that last forever are teams that really blow people out a lot."
Adelman went even further with his point, connecting it to some of the greatest teams the league has ever seen and making it clear that this is about more than just one game.
"I don't think people look at that enough," Adelman said. "Michael's Bulls teams, they put people away. And when you can do that, and you're a special team, it allows you to sit guys longer."
That last part is especially important for a Denver team that has dealt with injuries all season long, with Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson both still sidelined and the Nuggets needing to get healthy before the playoffs if they want to make a real run.
A Historic Night in Portland
The 157 points were the most the Nuggets have ever scored on the road in a regular-season game and the most any NBA team has put up this season.
Denver also became the first team in league history to record 150-plus points, 60-plus rebounds, 40-plus assists, and 20-plus made three-pointers all in the same game.
The Nuggets shot 57.3 percent from the field and knocked down 21 of 41 three-pointers while holding a 60-36 rebounding edge over Portland, who fell to 27-30 on the season.
Nikola Jokic set the tone with 19 first-quarter points and finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals on 10-of-15 shooting in just 29 and a half minutes, which is exactly the type of game Adelman was talking about.
Jamal Murray added 25 points, six rebounds and six assists while going 6-of-12 from deep, and Julian Strawther and Tim Hardaway Jr. both chipped in 19 points to round out a balanced attack where seven Nuggets scored in double figures.
Where Denver Stands Moving Forward
The win moved the Nuggets to 36-21 on the season and they sit in solid position in the Western Conference playoff picture as the second half gets going.
Jokic is averaging 28.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 10.6 assists per game this season while Murray is putting up career-best numbers at 25.6 points and 7.6 assists, and the two have shown just how dangerous they can be when healthy and locked in together.
Friday's blowout was a perfect example of what Adelman wants to see more of going forward.
The fewer minutes the starters have to grind through during the regular season, the fresher they will be when the games really start to matter in April and May.