Peyton Watson’s home-opener highlight was indicative of an aspect of his game that has gradually matured.

Playing pick-and-roll with Jamal Murray, he was neglected by two Phoenix Suns defenders for just long enough that neither could recover to him by the time Murray fired him a quick pass. “I just saw the lane open up, and nobody (was there) to stop me by the time I got to the restricted area,” Watson said. “I knew at that point I was gonna try to dunk it.”

That he did, welcoming Suns rookie Khaman Maluach to the league with a one-handed poster as the 7-footer tried to rotate over. Watson stuck the landing and flexed. Ball Arena approved. The Nuggets were on their way to 62 paint points and a 133-111 win over Phoenix.

But Nuggets coach David Adelman was focused on the big picture a

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