The Denver Nuggets arrive in Washington at 11-9 to face the Wizards 2-18. If Denver’s file is alarming, Washington’s is woefully poor, having skilled each poor roster development and a rash of accidents – additionally being on the high of the category on this yr’s draft actually has its benefits. Nonetheless, Denver has a historical past of downplaying its opponents, particularly on the highway, needing extra time to outlast each the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets on a earlier East Coast highway journey. . The Nuggets have struggled with consistency on offense, with bench minutes and a focus to element, however it is a win they completely must get in the event that they need to get again on observe.
The Necessities
WHO: Denver Nuggets (11-9) vs. Washington Wizards (2-18)
When: 5:00 p.m. MST
Or: Capital One Area, Washington DC
How you can watch/hear: Denver Stiffs doesn’t tolerate piracy. Altitude TV the place out there. NBA League Move for these not within the Nuggets market. Altitude 92.5 FM. Clarify that you’re Jamal Murray’s new physician.
Rival weblog: Bullets eternally
Harm Report: Aaron Gordon – possible (proper calf sprain), Jamal Murray – questionable (proper hamstring irritation), Dario Saric – questionable (left ankle sprain), Vlatko Cancar – out (worst probability ever and in addition knee), Daron Holmes II – out (Achilles); Corey Kispert – out (left ankle sprain), Kyshawn George – out (left ankle sprain), Malcolm Brandon – out (left hamstring irritation), Saddiq Bey – out (ACL surgical procedure), Kyle Kuzma – absent (left rib sprain), Tristan Vukcevic – absent (knee contusion)
The three issues
What to be careful for: Can Denver begin forming good habits?
I am not saying it is an computerized win, however the Wizards are the worst group within the league and have a handful of rotation gamers besides. It is a sport the place good habits – getting again appropriately in transitions, caring for the ball, rebounding as a group, and so on. are all necessary. – would go a protracted approach to securing victory. It might be good to not want a 40/20 triple double from Nikola Jokic simply to get by means of on this one, and all of the errors the Cleveland Cavaliers had been capable of make the most of in Denver’s newest loss highlighted areas to give attention to. enchancment.
What to recollect: This time of yr is all about course of
The Nuggets have had the fifth-toughest schedule within the NBA and sadly aren’t prepared for it. Sure, Jamal Murray does not look good – he typically does not begin the yr. He performed 42 minutes within the final match and is now affected by hamstring irritation. To have the ability to play higher, he must be more healthy and never damaged anymore. If Jokic is an all-terrain automobile, then Murray is a Ferrari that is at all times within the store, and they should deal with him like one whereas they fine-tune the efficiency as a substitute of constructing him do donuts within the mud. These are the video games the place Malone must keep in mind that.
The Nuggets must maintain the day-to-day course of for the outcomes to alter. If there was ever a sport to have the ability to get a few of the guys off the bench who’ve been locked in a closet, this is able to be it. The starters can’t proceed to endure these heavy minutes and the defensive rotations should happen appropriately. Malone has a tricky job and I do know it is a highway sport somewhat than a house sport, however the Nuggets want to return out of the soar with the appropriate mindset and begin cashing in wins because the schedule will get simpler. They do not need to be good, however with the ability to belief one another to proper the ship can be begin.
The factor to guess on: Nikola Jokic factors + Rebounds above 43.5 (-110)
The Wizards have precisely nobody to decelerate Jokic. He is additionally been on a scoring streak with so many Denver gamers in a rut, and the Wizards aren’t rebounding group. Sure, they’ve Jonas Valanciunas to fill the “Jap European who can get Jokic drunk the night time earlier than the sport” position, however Denver does not blow out numerous groups as a result of they do not play protection, so Even when Jokic will get an enormous lead after 3 quarters, he could have to return again. Washington has misplaced each sport since mid-November by double digits, however in getting this win, I anticipate Jokic to have one other massive sport.
