The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Clippers within the fourth and closing recreation of the common season tonight at Ball Enviornment. Denver misplaced the primary two conferences however gained the newest handily, 120-98 on December 13. The Clippers seem to have Kawhi Leonard out there for this recreation, whereas MVP standing Nikola Jokic continues to be up within the air as a result of a non-Covid-related sickness. With Aaron Gordon additionally nonetheless sidelined (no less than in response to this morning’s damage report), it will likely be as much as the opposite Nuggets to select up the slack defensively and get organized on offense.
Denver is coming off a troublesome loss to the Boston Celtics final evening, whereas the Clippers misplaced a heartbreaker 108-106 to the Timberwolves on Monday. Usually this could be a recreation the place Denver would attempt to lead the Clippers early and let the altitude take impact down the stretch, however Denver won’t have the legs for that tonight. With an ideal file on the second evening of a back-to-back this season, anticipate Denver to be locked in regardless of which one fits them as they try to even the season sequence with a Clippers staff for whom they may battle. playoff seeding later within the 12 months.
The Necessities
WHO: Denver Nuggets (20-15) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (20-16)
When: 7:00 p.m. MST
Or: Ball Enviornment, Denver CO
How you can watch/hear: Denver Stiffs doesn’t tolerate piracy. Altitude TV the place out there. NBA League Go for these not within the Nuggets market. Altitude 92.5 FM. For instance you will have Nikola Jokic’s IV bag so he can play tonight.
Rival weblog: 213 hoops
Damage Report: Nikola Jokic – questionable (non-Covid sickness), Aaron Gordon – out (calf pressure), Vlatko Cancar – out (worst luck ever and likewise knee surgical procedure), DaRon Holmes II – out (Achilles) ; Cam Christie – out (G-League project), Trentyn Flowers – out (each methods), Kai Jones – out (each methods), PJ Tucker – out (everlasting hate)
The three issues
What to be careful for: Familiarity breeds contempt
The Nuggets noticed the Clippers in preseason. They’ve already performed them 3 occasions, and the 4th is available in simply the thirty sixth recreation for Denver. There is no staff within the league they know higher than these Clippers, who additionally run in reverse. There aren’t many tips left within the bag, though the uncertainty round Jokic — as a result of even when he performs, it is unclear how efficient he’ll be — undoubtedly places a damper on the Nuggets’ predictability. Final evening, they made 36 three-pointers towards a Boston staff that just about at all times outscores its opponents, so Denver proved its willingness to alter the formulation when the MVP is not round. Regardless of Kawhi’s seemingly return, it seems Denver and its star’s standing will dictate how this recreation is performed.
What to recollect: 7-0
The Nuggets this 12 months are undefeated and stressed. They could not at all times present up within the first half of a back-to-back, however every staff had their full consideration on the second half. Previous isn’t predictive, however the Nuggets have proven repeatedly that they lock down and execute when drained. They ran out of fuel on the finish of final evening’s Celtics loss, however that is the place they actually lack Nikola Jokic’s effectivity and execution down the stretch. Whether or not he performs tonight or not, Denver will seemingly put up an excellent effort towards a staff they know effectively.
The factor to guess on: Denver Moneyline (+115)
The nuggets have not misplaced back-to-back but! Take the guess now, as a result of if Jokic fits up, anticipate the payout to drop considerably.
