On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 129-121 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. Christian Braun set a new career high in points, and Nikola Jokic once again put up video game numbers. Denver’s defense wasn’t good enough though, and the Nuggets gave up a second half lead because of it.

Meanwhile, Caldwell-Pope’s replacement in the Denver starting lineup had an exceptional showing in Orlando. Christian Braun went for 20 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block. It was his sixth career 20-point game and his second this week.

Christian Braun has provided a spark for the Denver Nuggets, as his production is the best of his career. He slid into the starting lineup after the Nuggets let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leave in free agency.

Former Kansas Jayhawk Christian Braun recorded a 20-point double-double in the Denver Nuggets’ 119-105 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Braun tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes as Denver improved to 26-16 overall following the road victory in Orlando.

Nikola Jokic's historic first half and triple-double couldn’t save the Nuggets as the Bulls' hot shooting sealed a 129-121 win.

Nikola Vucevic had 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and the Chicago Bulls handed the Denver Nuggets their second straight loss with a 129-121 victory.

Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis demonstrated why he was chosen for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, with two big dunks in Monday’s win over the Denver Nuggets.

Denver dominated inside, but it wasn't enough to offset Chicago's hot 3-point shooting. The Nuggets dropped to 0-2 to start the road trip despite another Nikola Jokic triple-double and a career night from Christian Braun.

We should have been up 20 at halftime,” Michael Malone said after the Nuggets’ loss to the Bulls. “We messed with the game.” His timeout two minutes of the game

Zach LaVine scored 21 points and Nikola Vucevic produced 20 points and 10 rebounds to lift the Chicago Bulls to a 129-121 victory against the visiting Denver Nuggets on Monday.

The Denver Nuggets lost 129-121 to the Chicago Bulls. The Nuggets were facing one of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference and appeared to be favorites coming into the game. But the Nuggets just couldn't put things together and ended up getting humiliated by the Bulls.