Jamal Murray gave the Denver Nuggets another strong scoring performance Monday. Afterward, David Adelman focused on the possessions Denver failed to finish.

The Nuggets lost 118-110 to the Portland Trail Blazers, falling to 3-3 after allowing 21 offensive rebounds. Murray finished with 35 points, but Denver could not turn his production into its second consecutive victory.

“We got our ass kicked on the glass,” Adelman said, according to The Denver Gazette.

The assessment identified a problem that extended beyond Portland making difficult shots. Every offensive rebound forced Denver to defend again, giving the Trail Blazers more chances to recover from a failed possession.

For the Nuggets, that made their defensive work incomplete. Getting an initial stop offered limited value when Portland could retrieve the miss and continue its possession.

Denver built a lead that reached 14 points, but Portland’s rebounding and perimeter scoring helped erase that advantage. The Trail Blazers finished with 15 made 3-pointers and a 16-rebound advantage.

Those problems created competing demands for the Nuggets. They needed to challenge Portland’s shooters while maintaining enough awareness and positioning to secure the rebound when a shot missed.

Failing to complete either responsibility allowed the Trail Blazers to keep applying pressure.

Adelman’s frustration also reflected the opportunity Denver had created early. A productive opening stretch can establish control, but that advantage becomes difficult to protect when the opponent repeatedly earns extra chances.

The correction requires more than expecting the center to collect every rebound. Perimeter players must stay involved after a shot goes up, particularly when defending a team taking enough outside shots to produce rebounds away from the basket.

Denver’s offensive production could not fully compensate for those additional defensive possessions.

Murray declined to frame the defeat around what he had already contributed.

“I could’ve done more,” Murray said, “I think we all can look in the mirror and just be better.”

His response kept the focus on the team’s performance rather than an individual scoring total. For Denver, a productive night from one of its primary creators still has to translate into enough complete possessions to win.

Portland also had multiple players capable of capitalizing. Deni Avdija scored 28 points, Donovan Clingan finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday contributed 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

That combination challenged Denver in different ways: finishing possessions inside, containing drives and tracking players who could create for others.

The Nuggets remained within reach late. Murray’s 3-pointer cut Portland’s lead to 110-107, but Toumani Camara answered from the corner with 1:09 remaining to help secure the result.

For Denver, the takeaway from Adelman’s comments was direct. Better scoring alone will not resolve a game in which the opponent receives repeated opportunities after missed shots.

Murray’s accountability matched that message. The Nuggets had enough offensive production to compete, but their next step requires turning more defensive possessions into a rebound and a chance to go the other way.