1987–88 Denver Nuggets season

The 1987–88 NBA season was the Nuggets' 12th season in the NBA and 21st season as a franchise.[1] During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Michael Adams from the Washington Bullets. The Nuggets finished first place in the Midwest Division with a 54–28 record. Head coach Doug Moe was named Coach of The Year. Alex English and Fat Lever were both selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in five games, but lost to the 3rd-seeded Dallas Mavericks six games in the semifinals.

1987–88 Denver Nuggets season
Division champions
Head coachDoug Moe
ArenaMcNichols Sports Arena
Results
Record54–28 (.659)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishWest Conference semifinals
(lost to Mavericks 2–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
< 1986–87 1988–89 >

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
2 31 Andre Moore PF   United States
  Australia
Loyola (IL)
3 54 Tom Schafer   United States Iowa State
4 77 David Boone   United States Marquette
5 100 Ron Grandison   United States New Orleans
6 123 Kelvin Scarborough   United States New Mexico
7 146 Rowan Gomes   United States Hampton
7 156 Curtis Hunter   United States North Carolina

Roster

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1987–88 Denver Nuggets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
PG 14 Adams, Michael 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 162 lb (73 kg) Boston College
SF 35 Brooks, Michael 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) La Salle
C 42 Cooper, Wayne 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) New Orleans
SG 23 Dunn, T.R. 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Alabama
SF 2 English, Alex 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) South Carolina
PG 5 Evans, Mike 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Kansas State
SF 24 Hanzlik, Bill 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Notre Dame
SG 12 Lever, Fat 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Arizona State
SF 11 Martin, Maurice 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Saint Joseph's
PF 33 Natt, Calvin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Louisiana–Monroe
C 41 Rasmussen, Blair 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (113 kg) Oregon
PF 34 Schayes, Danny 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Syracuse
SF 30 Vincent, Jay 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Michigan State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Denver Nuggets 54 28 .659 35–6 19–22 18–12
x-Dallas Mavericks 53 29 .646 1 33–8 20–21 20–10
x-Utah Jazz 47 35 .573 7 33–8 14–27 18–12
x-Houston Rockets 46 36 .561 8 31–10 15–26 13–17
x-San Antonio Spurs 31 51 .378 23 23–18 8–33 12–18
Sacramento Kings 24 58 .293 30 19–22 5–36 9–21
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Los Angeles Lakers 62 20 .756
2 y-Denver Nuggets 54 28 .659 8
3 x-Dallas Mavericks 53 29 .646 9
4 x-Portland Trail Blazers 53 29 .646 9
5 x-Utah Jazz 47 35 .573 15
6 x-Houston Rockets 46 36 .561 16
7 x-Seattle SuperSonics 44 38 .537 18
8 x-San Antonio Spurs 31 51 .378 31
9 Phoenix Suns 28 54 .341 34
10 Sacramento Kings 24 58 .293 38
11 Golden State Warriors 20 62 .244 42
12 Los Angeles Clippers 17 65 .207 45
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1987-88 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 2–4 2–3 5–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–0 0–2 3–3 5–0 3–3 6–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–3
Boston 4–2 3–3 2–3 2–0 0–2 3–3 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 0–2 3–3 5–1 5–1 4–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 5–1
Chicago 3–2 3–3 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–0 2–0 3–3 2–0 1–1 5–1 5–1 3–2 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–3
Cleveland 1–5 3–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–5 0–2 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 5–1 2–4 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 6–0
Dallas 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 4–2 2–0 5–0 1–4 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 5–1 5–1 3–2 3–3 1–1
Denver 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 4–2 1–1 5–0 3–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–3 4–2 5–1 4–1 2–4 2–0
Detroit 4–2 3–3 4–2 5–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 4–2 5–1 4–2 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2
Golden State 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–4 0–2 0–5 0–2 3–3 0–6 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–5 2–3 3–2 1–5 1–4 0–2
Houston 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–4 1–1 5–0 2–0 3–2 1–4 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 4–1 4–2 2–4 3–2 3–3 2–0
Indiana 2–4 0–5 3–3 2–4 0–2 1–1 3–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 6–0 2–3 2–4 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–4
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 0–5 1–1 3–3 2–3 1–1 1–5 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 0–6 3–2 0–5 1–5 1–4 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–3 2–0 6–0 4–1 1–1 5–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 5–1 3–3 4–1 5–0 4–2 4–1 1–1
Milwaukee 3–3 3–3 1–5 4–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–0 0–2 3–3 2–0 2–0 3–2 3–3 2–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1
New Jersey 0–5 1–5 1–5 1–5 1–1 0–2 1–5 0–2 1–1 0–6 2–0 0–2 2–3 3–3 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–6
New York 3–3 1–5 2–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 3–3 3–3 3–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–3
Philadelphia 0–6 2–4 2–4 2–3 1–1 0–2 1–4 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–1 0–2 4–2 4–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–3
Phoenix 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 2–3 0–2 4–2 1–4 0–2 4–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–6 3–2 2–3 2–4 2–3 0–2
Portland 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 1–1 5–1 1–4 2–0 6–0 3–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 6–0 4–1 5–0 3–3 1–4 2–0
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–4 0–2 3–2 2–4 0–2 2–3 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–4 3–3 1–4 1–5 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–5 1–5 1–1 2–3 4–2 0–2 5–0 0–5 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–5 3–3 3–2 3–3 0–2
Seattle 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–4 1–1 5–1 2–3 1–1 5–1 2–4 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 3–3 4–1 2–3 1–4 2–0
Utah 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–3 4–2 0–2 4–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–2 4–1 5–1 3–3 4–1 2–0
Washington 3–3 1–5 3–3 0–6 1–1 0–2 2–3 2–0 0–2 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–4 6–0 3–3 3–3 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2

Game log

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Regular season

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1987–88 game log
Total: 54–28 (home: 35–6; road: 19–22)
November: 8–4 (home: 6–1; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 November 6 L.A. Clippers W 139–93 McNichols Sports Arena 1–0
2 November 7 @ Golden State W 103–99 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 2–0
3 November 10 @ Sacramento L 123–134 ARCO Arena 2–1
4 November 12 Portland W 126–113 McNichols Sports Arena 3–1
5 November 14 Sacramento W 130–109 McNichols Sports Arena 4–1
6 November 17, 1987
7:30 p.m. MST
@ Utah L 110–120 Lever (18) Rasmussen (10) Lever (7) Salt Palace
11,461
4–2
7 November 18 Indiana L 106–117 McNichols Sports Arena 4–3
8 November 20 San Antonio W 156–142 McNichols Sports Arena 5–3
9 November 21 @ L.A. Clippers W 97–91 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 6–3
10 November 24 New Jersey W 132–104 McNichols Sports Arena 7–3
11 November 27, 1987
8:30 p.m. MST
@ L.A. Lakers L 119–127 English (27) Schayes (14) Adams,
Lever (10)
The Forum
17,505
7–4
12 November 28, 1987
7:30 p.m. MST
Dallas W 106–98 English (25) Schayes (15) English (7) McNichols Sports Arena
13,400
8–4
December: 8–7 (home: 5–1; road: 3–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
13 December 1 @ Houston L 101–106 The Summit 8–5
14 December 2 Sacramento W 147–120 McNichols Sports Arena 9–5
15 December 4, 1987
7:30 p.m. MST
Chicago W 105–89 English (21) Rasmussen (12) Adams (7) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
10–5
16 December 5, 1987
6:30 p.m. MST
@ Dallas L 96–109 English,
Vincent (16)
English,
Lever,
Rasmussen (5)
Adams,
English,
Lever (5)
Reunion Arena
17,007
10–6
17 December 9, 1987
5:30 p.m. MST
@ Boston W 124–119 Adams (31) Lever (11) Lever (13) Boston Garden
14,890
11–6
18 December 10 @ New York L 97–113 Madison Square Garden 11–7
19 December 12 @ Philadelphia W 131–121 The Spectrum 12–7
20 December 16 Houston W 132–113 McNichols Sports Arena 13–7
21 December 18 @ San Antonio L 114–133 HemisFair Arena 13–8
22 December 19 @ Houston W 121–117 The Summit 14–8
23 December 22 Phoenix W 119–104 McNichols Sports Arena 15–8
24 December 23 @ Golden State L 117–129 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15–9
25 December 26 Seattle W 115–111 McNichols Sports Arena 16–9
26 December 28 @ Seattle L 100–108 Seattle Center Coliseum 16–10
27 December 29, 1987
7:30 p.m. MST
Utah L 97–98 Schayes (27) English,
Lever,
Schayes (11)
Lever (6) McNichols Sports Arena
10,621
16–11
January: 8–6 (home: 5–1; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
28 January 1, 1988
6:00 p.m. MST
@ Washington W 124–109 Vincent (33) Schayes (7) Adams (10) Capital Centre
5,326
17–11
29 January 2, 1988
5:30 p.m. MST
@ Detroit W 151–142 English (34) Cooper (11) Lever (13) Pontiac Silverdome
23,746
18–11
30 January 4, 1988
5:30 p.m. MST
@ Cleveland L 101–122 Evans (28) Schayes (8) English (7) Richfield Coliseum
6,448
18–12
31 January 6 @ New Jersey W 98–93 Brendan Byrne Arena 19–12
32 January 7, 1988
6:30 p.m. MST
@ Chicago L 96–100 Lever (31) Lever (16) Lever (12) Chicago Stadium
17,590
19–13
33 January 9, 1988
5:30 p.m. MST
@ Atlanta L 105–113 English (27) Rasmussen,
Schayes (9)
Lever (6) The Omni
14,986
19–14
34 January 11 @ Phoenix L 115–127 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 19–15
35 January 14, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
Atlanta W 115–112 English (27) Schayes (12) English,
Lever,
Vincent (5)
McNichols Sports Arena
14,944
20–15
36 January 16 Golden State W 115–94 McNichols Sports Arena 21–15
37 January 18, 1988
2:00 p.m. MST
Detroit L 116–123 English (32) Vincent (11) English (7) McNichols Sports Arena
13,004
21–16
38 January 21, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
L.A. Lakers W 115–113 Vincent (23) Vincent (12) Lever (8) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
22–16
39 January 22 @ Portland L 106–126 Memorial Coliseum 22–17
40 January 28, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
Milwaukee W 122–113 English (24) Rasmussen (8) Adams,
English,
Lever (8)
McNichols Sports Arena
13,911
23–17
41 January 30 L.A. Clippers W 124–106 McNichols Sports Arena 24–17
February: 9–4 (home: 7–1; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
42 February 3, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
Dallas W 115–105 English (26) Lever (9) Adams (9) McNichols Sports Arena
10,667
25–17
43 February 4 @ San Antonio W 129–123 HemisFair Arena 26–17
All-Star Break
44 February 9 San Antonio W 136-108 McNichols Sports Arena 27–17
45 February 11, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
L.A. Lakers L 105–120 English (31) Rasmussenn (9) Adams (8) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
27–18
46 February 12 @ Portland L 105–120 Memorial Coliseum 27–19
47 February 14, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
Utah W 107–93 English (25) Lever (15) Lever (8) McNichols Sports Arena
9,971
28–19
48 February 17, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
Boston W 138–125 English (37) Rasmussen (11) English (11) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
29–19
49 February 20 @ Phoenix L 108–128 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 29–20
50 February 22, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
Washington W 100–87 Schayes (21) Lever (15) English (8) McNichols Sports Arena
10,553
30–20
51 February 24, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
@ Utah W 123–120 English,
Rasmussen (35)
Lever (10) Lever (16) Salt Palace
12,444
31–20
52 February 26 Philadelphia W 120–104 McNichols Sports Arena 32–20
53 February 28 New York W 109–100 McNichols Sports Arena 33–20
54 February 29, 1988
6:30 p.m. MST
@ Dallas L 96–123 Schayes (21) Lever (8) Adams (8) Reunion Arena
17,007
33–21
March: 12–5 (home: 6–2; road: 6–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
55 March 2, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
Cleveland W 99–81 Adams (23) Lever (20) Lever (12) McNichols Sports Arena
9,178
34–21
56 March 4 Phoenix W 116–108 McNichols Sports Arena 35–21
57 March 5 @ Seattle W 115–102 Seattle Center Coliseum 36–21
58 March 7 @ Sacramento L 114–116 (OT) ARCO Arena 36–22
59 March 8 Houston L 103–113 McNichols Sports Arena 36–23
60 March 11, 1988
7:00 p.m. MST
@ Milwaukee L 93–132 Rasmussen (21) Rasmussen (8) Adams (7) MECCA Arena
11,052
36–24
61 March 13 @ Indiana W 108–100 Market Square Arena 37–24
62 March 14, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
Utah L 115–116 English (27) Lever (17) English (8) McNichols Sports Arena
10,172
37–25
63 March 17 Portland W 116–115 (OT) McNichols Sports Arena 38–25
64 March 18, 1988
7:30 p.m. MST
@ Utah L 111–118 Adams (22) Lever,
Rasmussen (11)
Lever (9) Salt Palace
12,444
38–26
65 March 20 Seattle W 108–95 McNichols Sports Arena 39–26
66 March 22 San Antonio W 136–109 McNichols Sports Arena 40–26
67 March 23 @ L.A. Clippers W 118–108 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 41–26
68 March 25, 1988
8:30 p.m. MST
@ L.A. Lakers W 120–119 English (34) Schayes (9) Lever (11) The Forum
17,505
42–26
69 March 26 @ Golden State W 131–108 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 43–26
70 March 29 @ Sacramento W 107–103 ARCO Arena 44–26
71 March 31 Sacramento W 121–111 McNichols Sports Arena 45–26
April: 9–2 (home: 6–0; road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
72 April 2 Golden State W 123–107 McNichols Sports Arena 46–26
73 April 5 @ Houston W 110–97 The Summit 47–26
74 April 8 @ San Antonio W 129–124 (OT) HemisFair Arena 48–26
75 April 9, 1988
6:30 p.m. MDT
@ Dallas L 109–135 Schayes (21) Brooks (7) Adams (10) Reunion Arena
17,007
48–27
76 April 11 @ Phoenix W 123–119 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 49–27
77 April 13, 1988
7:30 p.m. MDT
L.A. Lakers W 120–106 English (29) Lever (12) Adams (9) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
50–27
78 April 15 Houston W 132–125 McNichols Sports Arena 51–27
79 April 17, 1988
2:00 p.m. MDT
Dallas W 133–122 English (31) Lever (19) Lever (13) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
52–27
80 April 19 Seattle W 134–114 McNichols Sports Arena 53–27
81 April 22 @ Portland L 135–141 (OT) Memorial Coliseum 53–28
82 April 23 L.A. Clippers W 134–109 McNichols Sports Arena 54–28
1987–88 schedule

Playoffs

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1988 playoff game log
First Round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 29 Seattle W 126–123 Alex English (28) Fat Lever (11) Fat Lever (8) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
1–0
2 May 1 Seattle L 91–111 English, Evans (16) Fat Lever (12) Michael Adams (5) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
1–1
3 May 3 @ Seattle W 125–114 Blair Rasmussen (28) Blair Rasmussen (12) Adams, Lever (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250
2–1
4 May 5 @ Seattle L 117–127 Jay Vincent (28) Danny Schayes (8) English, Evans (5) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250
2–2
5 May 7 Seattle W 115–96 Alex English (23) Jay Vincent (7) Alex English (7) McNichols Sports Arena
16,040
3–2
Western Conference Semifinals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 10, 1988
7:30 p.m. MDT
Dallas W 126–115 Lever (30) Lever (11) English,
Lever (8)
McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
1–0
2 May 12, 1988
8:00 p.m. MDT
Dallas L 108–112 English,
Lever (22)
Schayes (12) Adams (7) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
1–1
3 May 14, 1988
1:30 p.m. MDT
@ Dallas W 107–105 English (23) Lever (11) Lever (12) Reunion Arena
17,007
2–1
4 May 15, 1988
6:00 p.m. MDT
@ Dallas L 103–124 English (24) Cooper (10) Adams (9) Reunion Arena
17,007
2–2
5 May 17, 1988
8:00 p.m. MDT
Dallas L 106–110 Schayes (33) Schayes (13) Adams,
English (6)
McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
2–3
6 May 19, 1988
8:00 p.m. MDT
@ Dallas L 95–108 English (34) Schayes (9) Adams (8) Reunion Arena
17,007
2–4
1988 schedule

Player statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Playoffs

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ "1987-88 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 16, 2021.

See also

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