The more points the Nuggets give up, the redder Michael Malone tends to get. So it’s no wonder he was running an emotional fever after the highest-scoring regulation game by any Nuggets opponent in his 10-year coaching tenure.

The Denver Nuggets, in a 145-118 blowout loss to the New York Knicks at Ball Arena, permitted the most regulation points they've allowed at home since 1991. Such a lopsided loss would be one the team is eager to quickly put behind them,