David Adelman tears up Denver after brutal fall at home
The The Denver Nuggets fell 131-121 to the Dallas Mavericks on a night that was more difficult than the score.. The The Nuggets opened with control, rhythm and a 41-27 lead it suggested a return to form at home, but the momentum quickly fizzled. Nikola Jokić set the early tone and finished with 29 pointsbut Denver’s defense was disrupted as Dallas rallied through the second quarter to make it a 69-68 halftime game. David Adelman watched energy fadesand the whistles in the Ball Arena echoed with growing frustration.
Dallas didn’t just win the swing — it won every efficiency battle. The Mavericks shot 56% from the field and 52% from three, punishing late closeouts and slow rotations. The Nuggets responded with spurts, briefly regaining the lead late in the third, but the fourth quarter quickly unraveled. The The Mavericks outshot the Nuggets 29-17, hitting big shots as Denver’s offense tightened up and its defense lost structure.
By the final buzzer, the Nuggets had lost their fourth straight game at home. As Bennett Durando of the Denver Post noted, it is the first time that’s happened since Jokic became the starter, a stunning turnaround for a team once defined by home dominance. Denver played without three starters, but Adelman refused to dwell on that reality.
“I’m not going to come in here any night and sit and talk about the guys that are out there,” he he said. “We have enough here to be more consistent defensively. His voice carried the frustration of a coach who has seen the same patterns emerge too many times.
The Nuggets’ home slide that demands urgency
The Nuggets have won seven straight on the road, but their home identity continues to crumble. Defensive focus drops. Energy stands. Opponents enter with confidence and leave rewarded.
Now the pressure is turning inward: after four straight losses and a public challenge from their coach, will the Nuggets finally provide the answer their arena has been waiting for?
2025-12-02 17:16:00
