Denver Gazette beat writer Vinny Benedetto takes you around the NBA and inside the Nuggets locker room:

NBA Insider

Jamal Murray offered a simple explanation for the Nuggets’ improved defense of late.

“We were just so bad to start, so it’s got to go somewhere,” Murray said after the Nuggets’ win Sunday in Orlando. “We’re just trending in the right direction and just picking up our effort, figuring out rotations and all that. We started off pretty poorly, and now things are starting to come together.”

That’s close enough to the truth. From October to December, Denver’s defensive rating – or points allowed per 100 possessions fluctuated from 115 in October to 113.3, in November and 114.6 in December. Those numbers consistently ranked Denver in the bottom half of the association.

In January, the Nuggets’ defensive rating, 109.9, ranks fifth.

“A big part of that has been our 3-point defense,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after Sunday’s game. “Our 3-point defense is much improved in the last 20-something games than it was compared to earlier in the season. That’s helping us out as well.”

The Magic got 41 3s up Sunday, but Denver limited the quality of looks. Orlando made just 12. Cory Joesph’s 3 in the final seconds of an already-decided game prevented Denver from holding their opponent to fewer than 100 points for the second time this month. The Nuggets had just two such games from October to December.

“I think it’s want-to. There’s a direct correlation to us becoming a much better team and winning a lot more consistently, because the defense is much improved,” Malone said.

“Our guys understand if you want to win, and win consistently and beat good teams, the defense has got to be there every night. It’s got to be a constant.”

Nuggets vs. Magic: 3 takeaways from Denver’s win in Orlando

What I’m Thinking

A little focus could go a long way for the Nuggets.

Denver has 13 games left before the All-Star break. This is usually a challenging time of year for teams as players start to look forward to their longest stretch of time off during the 82-game regular season. With a little determination over the next three weeks, the Nuggets can separate themselves from a crowd in the Western Conference standings.

The Nuggets play Portland, New Orleans and Philadelphia twice in that stretch. The Trail Blazers and Pelicans are among the three-worst teams in the conference, while Philadelphia won’t have Joel Embiid for Tuesday’s game, and he might also miss the Jan. 31 remtach in Philadelphia. Denver’s toughest games during the stretch are at home against Sacramento on Thursday, at Minnesota on Saturday and a trip to Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks on Jan. 29.

Woody Paige: Could Philly’s Embiid be dodging showdown with obviously superior Jokic?

Going perfect isn’t likely, but taking care of business could be enough to pass either Houston or Memphis by the break. The Rockets’ next three games feature two against Cleveland and one against Boston before they play in Memphis on Jan. 30. The Grizzlies have games against the Knicks, Thunder and Clippers before their break.

It’s a good time for Denver to focus on making a move up the standings.

What I’m Following

– Philadelphia center Joel Embiid is officially out for Tuesday’s game in Denver. Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin and Jared McCain are also out for the 76ers. Jamal Murray (left calf tightness) and Peyton Watson (head contusion) are both probable for the Nuggets.

– Former Nugget Bruce Brown is apparently being shopped by the Toronto Raptors, according to multiple reports. Unfortunately for Nuggets fans, the only way Denver can trade for Brown would have to include Michael Porter Jr.

– More colorways of Nikola Jokic’s signature shoe are being released, and 361 Degrees also released a team version as part of the three-time Most Valuable Player’s first line with the Chinese brand. All of his sneakers are available for purchase at 361sport.com.

– Jokic continues to lead all Western Conference players in All-Star voting after the third round of fan selections. Jokic’s 2.9 million votes was second only to Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 3.5 million votes.

– Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault and one of his assistants will coach teams in the new-look All-Star Game in February. The other two teams will be led by the coach and an assistant from the Eastern Conference team with the best record, likely the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Starting Lineup: Joel Embiid to miss yet another Mile High matchup with Nikola Jokic

What They’re Saying

On Sunday, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played against the Nuggets for the first time since leaving in free agency last summer. He told the Altitude broadcast about the decision to leave.

“We had just won a championship. Denver was always my first choice in returning there, but unfortunately, it’s a business. We had to part ways,” Caldwell-Pope said.

“It was truly a brotherhood over there.”

The veteran shooting guard added he’s enjoying his time with the Magic so far, and his family is enjoying Orlando.

“That’s one thing I don’t miss is that snow,” Caldwell-Pope said.

Caldwell-Pope started the game on Murray, who finished with 19 points on 16 shots. Gary Harris, another former Nugget, missed the game with a hamstring injury.

“It’s always fun to go against former teammates,” Murray said. “I wish Gary was out there, so I could give him some buckets, too. It was just a fun game.”

Caldwell-Pope was on the wrong side of DeAndre Jordan’s put-back dunk during Sunday’s game. Jordan gave KCP a hard time after the play, and Malone was asked about enjoying those types of moments.

“When I watch film, I don’t just watch the guys on the court. I watch our bench, and I see who’s into the game, who’s supporting their teammates,” Malone said. “Obviously, I think we’ve had a selfless group for many years now. You want to see that camaraderie, that brotherhood and everybody cheering for each other, because that’s what it’s all about.”

What I’m Reading

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton assessed the Western Conference at the midway point of the regular season, breaking down the conference into tiers. Oklahoma City is, rightfully, in a tier of its own, but Pelton has the Nuggets among the teams in the second group.