The champs steadied, then slammed the door. Denver beat Washington 107-97 tonight, a composed road win that showed veteran poise and midseason muscle. The Wizards threw punches and kept the score tight. The Nuggets answered with stops, smart half court offense, and just enough late shot making to ice it.
Final: Nuggets 107, Wizards 97
This game moved in waves. Washington started fast, ran the floor, and attacked early in the clock. Denver absorbed it, tightened the screws, and leaned on trusted actions. By the fourth quarter, the Nuggets controlled the rhythm. They bled the clock, hit the paint, and trusted their spacing. The Wizards kept it within reach into the final minutes, but execution won out.
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It was a professional win for Denver. They did not chase the knockout. They took the points that were there, protected the ball, and won the possession battle when it mattered most. The Wizards, building toward something bigger, showed heart and pace. They just lacked that last bit of polish against a seasoned group.
How Denver closed it
Denver’s offense found its groove late. The ball moved to the second side, then back to the middle. The screen game created simple reads. Open looks followed.
The Nuggets also sharpened their defense in the fourth. They pressed up on shooters and walled off the lane. Washington got fewer clean drives. Pull ups replaced rim pressure. That shift tilted the ending.
Turning point, the Nuggets stacked three straight stops halfway through the fourth, then scored on each trip. The cushion stuck.
The championship habits showed
The detail stood out. Denver hunted mismatches without forcing. They set solid screens. They cut with purpose and trusted their spacing. Those habits separate good teams from great ones in winning time.
What this says about the Wizards
Washington’s effort was real. The Wizards pushed pace, spread the floor, and challenged Denver’s first shot defense. The young wings sprinted to corners. The guards probed and kept the ball hopping. For long stretches, that pace kept Denver uncomfortable.
But close games punish mistakes. A rushed pull up here. A missed box out there. A late clock isolation that stalled the offense. The tape will show teachable moments. The progress is visible, even in defeat.
Growth areas are clear
When the game slowed, Washington needed a cleaner plan. The first action got denied. The second action came late. That led to tough attempts. The Wizards will stress timing, screening angles, and late-game spacing in the next practice block. Those steps are the bridge from competitive to closing.
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Three quick takeaways
- Denver managed the fourth quarter like a veteran group, with patient offense and disciplined defense.
- Washington’s pace bothered Denver early, but the Nuggets adjusted and took away driving lanes late.
- Half court execution separated the teams in the final five minutes.
- The Wizards’ young core showed energy and toughness, a good sign for the weeks ahead.
The midseason picture
This result fits Denver’s January profile. They look comfortable grinding out wins when the shots do not always fall. The defense, while not flashy, bends but does not break late in games. The bench gave timely minutes, which matters for the long stretch to spring. It is not just the stars. It is the structure.
For Washington, the bigger story is identity. The Wizards want to run, space, and shoot with freedom. That style can flip a game in a quarter. It can also cool when legs get heavy. The next phase is blending pace with execution, especially against top half teams. That is how narrow losses become road wins.
Watch Washington’s late-game sets over the next two weeks. Cleaner second actions will unlock easier shots and more wins.
What to watch next
For Denver, look at turnover control and the second unit’s chemistry. If they keep the ball moving and defend without fouling, they can stack wins without max minutes. The blueprint is there. They do not need fireworks every night to stay on track.
For Washington, watch the glass and the paint. Second chance points swing close games. So do layups and free throws. The Wizards can live with tough makes by elite players. What they cannot allow are empty trips followed by quick scores the other way. That is the fix.
This 107-97 finish will not play on a loop like a buzzer beater. It was steadier than that. The Nuggets handled their business, exactly what strong teams do in the thick of winter. The Wizards showed the right kind of fight, the kind that pays off if it keeps showing up. Both clubs walk away knowing who they are today, and what they need to be by April. Basketball season is long. Nights like this, cool and clear, draw the path forward. 🏀
