The Wizards won the third quarter. But they lost just about every other aspect of the game, falling to the Nuggets by the final score of 114-94. The Wizards are now 17-54 on the season.
Washington outscored Denver in the third quarter, closing the gap to as little as little as 13 points at one point. Jordan Crawford had another strong night with 19 points. JaVale McGee had 13 points and 13 rebounds, but he shot just 5-for-13 from the field. Mo Evans had 16 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.
But the Nuggets were too strong and too deep and the game never really seemed in doubt. J.R. Smith, Al Harrington and Chris Andersen all had big nights off the bench for Denver, who did never really allowed the Wizards more than a token comeback and kept their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter, when they outscored Washington 32-27. As has largely been the case since dealing star Carmelo Anthony, it was a team effort for Denver. The Nuggets had 29 assists despite no player having more than eight themselves.
Washington returns to action on Sunday against at Golden State at 10 p.m. ET. The five-game trip ends on Monday night in Utah against the Jazz. Of course, it won't get any easier back in D.C. as the Wizards will be greeted at home by the Miami Heat.
For more on the Wizards check out Bullets Forever.