The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday evening, with each groups coming off an prolonged relaxation and after questionable performances. The Clippers misplaced by 28 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and by 11 to the Houston Rockets over the past 8 days, whereas Denver obtained blitzed by the Cleveland Cavaliers and someway by the Washington Wizards additionally earlier than stomping the Atlanta Hawks to finish the Denver street journey.
Nikola Jokic did completely all the things for the Nuggets simply to have the ability to maintain his head above water throughout a troublesome first half of the season, made tougher by Denver’s personal errors. James Harden has been nice for the Clippers, however their very own damage state of affairs limits their choices and upside. Neither staff has performed since Sunday, so both there will likely be a brand new consideration to element or each groups will shake off the rust early. Regardless, each groups sit on the backside of the present Western Convention playoff standings and have work to do to stay constant regardless of their accidents.
The Necessities
WHO: Denver Nuggets (12-10) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (14-11)
When: 7:00 p.m. MST
Or: Ball Enviornment, Denver CO
How one can watch/pay attention: Denver Stiffs doesn’t tolerate piracy. Altitude TV the place accessible. NBA League Cross for these not within the Nuggets market. Altitude 92.5 FM. Deliver a card to assist Denver discover its method to victory towards James Harden.
Rival weblog: 213 hoops
Harm Report: Aaron Gordon – possible (proper calf sprain), Christian Braun – possible (proper quad contusion), Jamal Murray – questionable (proper hamstring irritation), Dario Saric – out (left ankle sprain), Vlatko Cancar – out (worst luck ever and in addition knee surgical procedure), Daron Holmes II – out (Achilles); Kawhi Leonard – out (proper knee), Derrick Jones Jr – out (proper hamstring), Terance Mann – out (fractured left center finger), Kobe Brown – out (again damage administration), PJ Tucker – out (mud) )
The three issues
What to be careful for: Can Denver begin forming good habits?
Sure, I stated it earlier than the Wizards debacle, and I will say it once more. That they had time to apply this week. Will it include renewed focus? The Los Angeles Clippers have the fifth-best protection and seventh-best defensive ranking within the league. They’re going to pressure the Nuggets into photographs they do not wish to make – can Denver make them or rebound? Cannot the Nuggets possibly quit greater than a dozen factors to foul shooters like they did final sport? The Atlanta Hawks sport was an excellent begin for Denver in having the fitting mentality to strategy these video games, however they nonetheless gave up method too many offensive rebounds to the Hawks. Denver must restrict Los Angeles to only one possession, care for the ball and execute in essential minutes. It is not sufficient to attend for the best participant on the planet, Nikola Jokic, to save lots of them. Twice this 12 months they had been dominated by the Clippers – one thing the Nuggets had a historical past of doing to different groups. It is time to reverse this state of affairs.
What to recollect: James Harden is only a man
The Nuggets have had this unhealthy behavior of letting Harden do no matter he needs within the first two video games this 12 months. Within the second sport of the season towards them, Harden scored 23 factors on 11 photographs (with 13 free throws!) and 16 assists. They continued to foul him and let him reduce them up together with his further passing. Earlier this month, they then gave up 39 factors to Harden, who once more had 13 FTs and double-digit assists. It is a microcosm of the season the place Denver denies nothing to an opponent and easily waits for them to fail – which turns into problematic after they do not really fail. Denver wants to tug one thing off, and if which means doubling it and having Norman Powell and others beat the Nuggets, then possibly strive that. Something to get the ball out of Harden’s arms slightly than permitting it to go to the defender who would helplessly foul him.
But in addition please cease Norman Powell, he already has 65 factors towards Denver in 2 video games and it is humiliating.
The factor to wager on: Over 226 (-110)
Denver has proven no indicators of slowing down many groups, particularly this Clippers staff. They gave up 109 and 126 to Los Angeles within the first two matchups, and one thing within the center most likely appears good. Denver will possible should outplay the Clippers slightly than flex their defensive muscle, particularly with Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun showing on the damage report with lingering lower-body points, so should you assume Denver wins, then they’re going to most likely breaking 226 midway. till the 4th. Anticipate fireworks, however let’s hope the Nuggets simply burn down the nets slightly than burn down the sector.
