At times this season the Denver Nuggets have looked like a different team late in games compared to last year’s edition that was just 5-10 in matchups decided by five points or less and shot a league-worst 36.7 percent in what NBA.com defines as “the clutch,” when there are five minutes or less remaining and the score is within five points.
In the closing stages of a November win over the Thunder, who have had their own struggles late in games this year, Denver outscored Oklahoma City 11-7 over the final five minutes and “played not to lose,” according to Nuggets coach Michael Malone.