The Denver Nuggets got smacked around again by the Golden State Warriors in Monday's Game 2, falling victim to a 126-106 loss. After losing 123-107 in Game 1, the Nuggets have already been outscored by 36 points in this first-round series and look in danger of a sweep.

 

When you're getting destroyed this badly, there's usually a whole lot of blame to go around. A lot of credit goes to the Warriors for looking like a top title contender, but Denver has its own set of problems.

Let's look at some of the biggest issues plaguing the Nuggets so far in this series.

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Nuggets problems vs. Warriors

Draymond Green has Nikola Jokic in hell

Nikola Jokic's stats through two games look pretty damn good. Joker is averaging 25.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks while shooting 46.5% from the field.

However, his overall production and efficiency are down from the regular season, when he averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks while shooting 58.3% overall and 33.7% from 3-point range. That field goal percentage dip is significant, and he's also 0-of-8 from 3-point range.

Jokic has a massive size advantage over Draymond Green, but that rarely matters against the Warriors star. Green is arguably the best defender in the NBA and can guard anybody, using his length, versatility, physicality and smarts to make life a living hell for his opponent.

That's what's happening to Jokic:

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Green frustrated Jokic so much that the Nuggets center got ejected in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Jokic thought Green fouled him (he probably had a point), but the officials swallowed their whistles and let the contact go, leading to complaining and an ejection. It was two games' worth of frustration bubbling to the surface:

Jokic needs to figure out how to get the best of Green and not let him get in his head. It's easier said than done, but the Nuggets are totally cooked if the MVP doesn't raise his game.

The defense is getting torched

The Nuggets have shown no ability to stop this Warriors team, especially when Stephen Curry is on the floor. Golden State owns a ridiculous 131.7 offensive rating through two games, per NBA.com, but that number is even sillier with Curry. In his 45 minutes, the Warriors boast a comical 154.3 offensive rating.

Denver just doesn't have the personnel to make life difficult for Golden State. The point-of-attack defense isn't strong enough, and while Jokic is an improved defender from earlier in his career, he can't cover up for the flaws on the perimeter. Not against this team at least, especially when they go small. The Warriors' new Death Lineup has been unstoppable so far, and it's truly a pick-your-poison situation when there's so much shooting talent out on the floor together.

The Nuggets can do their best to try to get the ball out of Curry's hands, but then there's Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole raining hellfire. There's also so much movement that it's hard to stick with these guys, and Green is a master at finding teammates open as they move off the ball.

Needless to say, it's a problem that doesn't have an easy solution.

Not enough help for Jokic

Jokic isn't playing at his peak level, and there's also just not enough talent around him on either end against this Warriors team. The absences of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are a problem on offense, but they would still be having their share of problems defensively.

Of course, getting more buckets could help the defense at least a little. The Nuggets haven't been terrible offensively so far in this series, but there's not nearly enough firepower there. Will Barton is second behind Jokic in scoring with 18.0 points per game, and then Bones Hyland and Monte Morris are the other only two averaging double figures with 11.0 points per game. Aaron Gordon is only at 7.5 points per game, which is a major disappointment.

Denver's struggles are causing plenty of frustration on both ends, and we saw them break a bit in Game 2. Besides Jokic's ejection, Barton and DeMarcus Cousins got into it on the bench. Things are unraveling for the Nuggets, and they're going to have to hope being at home in Denver will help them turn the tide.