Michael Malone has re-engineered the Nuggets’ horns set to drop Jamal Murray into a forward-type three-point spot. The design features a double pindown screen on the strong side, a look Malone rarely ran with Murray in that position. By moving the ball through four point guards, the play creates the spacing normally reserved for wing shooters while keeping the ball-handler on the perimeter.
Murray, a scorer who averages more than 20 points per game, still shows sloppy footwork when he receives the ball. In the horns set he often finds himself open for a catch-and-shoot three, yet his instinct is to drive before the shot materializes. The early drive can negate the high-percentage look the screen provides, underscoring the need for disciplined footwork even when the defense is forced into an unfamiliar position.
The Nuggets’ roster depth at guard fuels the multiple pindown and stagger-screen variations Malone now employs. With four guards on the floor, the team can layer screens without sacrificing ball-handling, allowing Murray to come off a series of pindowns that would be difficult for a traditional wing-driven offense. This flexibility gives Denver more ways to generate open looks for its primary scorer.
Nikola Jokic’s vision remains a catalyst in the scheme. He is capable of delivering at least one no-look pass per game in these sets, often timing the ball to a cutter before releasing the dime to the corner. JaMychal Green’s transition cut frequently forces the defense to collapse, opening a lane for Jokic to locate Monte Morris at the top of the key, as observed in recent executions of the play.
Defensively, Murray’s effort has risen, reflecting growing leadership on that end of the floor. Facundo Campazzo, despite his hustle, still finds himself switched onto a center during these moments, highlighting the scheme’s reliance on precise defensive positioning. Anthony Edwards demonstrates proper spacing by sagging off PJ Dozier on dribble handoffs, while Porter occasionally breaks from the designed action to attack, a move that only a few Nuggets can execute without disrupting the flow.
Looking ahead, Malone is likely to double down on multi-screen horns sets as the season progresses. Continued refinement of the double pindown and staggered screens could produce a steady stream of open three-point opportunities for Murray, keeping defenses honest and preserving Denver’s offensive rhythm heading into the postseason.
