When the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on April 8, it appeared they would fold. Instead, they’ve seemed reinvigorated

Despite firings, Nuggets are seemingly heating up at right time

Denver Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

On Sunday, the Nuggets won their third consecutive game since the Malone and Booth firings, beating the Houston Rockets, 126-111, on the road.

Denver center Nikola Jokic, power forward Aaron Gordon and small forward Michael Porter Jr. combined for 55 points.

Denver’s defense — which has been a weakness throughout the season — has also improved during this stretch.

Over their last three games, the Nuggets have allowed 112 points per game. In their last four games under Malone, they allowed 124 PPG.

Malone and Booth deserve credit for helping the franchise win its first championship during the 2022-23 season. However, it’s fair to wonder if their frigid relationship was wearing on the team.

For a story published on Saturday, an insider told The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando that Booth and Malone seldom spoke with one another before they were fired. The source added the coaching staff and the front office felt “obligated to take sides.”

The tension was reportedly impacting the players, too. A source previously told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Ramona Shelburne players were “freaking miserable” in the final weeks of their tenures.

Michael Malone suspected Calvin Booth hired 'a spy' to keep tabs on him, claims NBA analyst

With the departures of Malone and Booth, the team could be feeling much more relaxed before the playoffs start on April 19.

Denver (50-32) has secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. In the first round, they’ll face the Los Angeles Clippers (50-32).

Like Denver, Los Angeles has seemingly found its mojo, winning its last eight regular-season games. Despite the challenging matchup, Denver interim head coach David Adelman still believes his squad could make a run.

“Well, I think they’re trending the right way if we can play that hard and consistently communicate the way we are,” Adelman said in a postgame news conference. ”

…And that’s what we need, you know, we need a collective feeling of when things get tough, we’ve got each other’s backs.”

The three-game winning streak signals the Nuggets are developing the camaraderie Adelman wants to see.

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