As the NBA Trade Deadline gets closer and closer, the Denver Nuggets have another home game to play.
Fortunately for them, the scouting process was relatively easy. They’re playing the New Orleans Pelicans again who they just faced on Monday night. Denver won that game, and while the Pelicans have really struggled this season (12-38 record) it’s rare for teams to do anything other than split these two-game series matchups. The Nuggets have split all but one two-game series they’ve played this season, and that was against a very injured Dallas Mavericks squad that didn’t have Luka Doncic…and now they will never have him anymore.
Let’s delve back into the New Orleans Pelicans matchup for the final time this year:
Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans
Projected Starting Lineups
Denver: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
New Orleans: CJ McCollum, Javonte Green, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson, Yves Missi
Key Bench Players
Denver: Jalen Pickett, Julian Strawther, Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Jordan
New Orleans: Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Karlo Matkovic
Notable Injuries
Denver: Aaron Gordon – QUESTIONABLE, Russell Westbrook – OUT, Peyton Watson – OUT, Vlatko Cancar – OUT, DaRon Holmes II – OUT
New Orleans: Dejounte Murray – OUT, Herb Jones – OUT, Brandon Ingram – OUT, Daniel Theis – QUESTIONABLE
Key for the Nuggets – Actually stay glued to Trey Murphy
This is what I wrote in this section last game preview about Trey Murphy being a matchup issue:
“Whoever guards Murphy will have to stick to him like glue, because he can rain hellfire from three-point range. Christian Braun will probably spend the most time on Murphy, but Denver will have to be disciplined on switches as well.”
In the words of Ghost from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2…”Mission failed! We’ll get ’em next time.”
Yeah after Murphy had 40 against the Boston Celtics, he plastered 41 points on the Nuggets. If he got the proper help from Zion Williamson and the supporting cast, the Pelicans might’ve won the game on Monday.
So, will the Nuggets do a better job this time? Probably. It’s a very coachable issue to navigate those DHOs, off-ball screens, and KYP (Know Your Personnel). Christian Braun will have to be better, as will Jamal Murray who spent a lot of time on Murphy.
Important Matchup – Zion Williamson vs Zeke Nnaji (and maybe Aaron Gordon)
As it turns out, this was the defining matchup of the game two days ago. Not Michael Porter Jr. scoring 36 vs Trey Murphy with 41. It was Zion Williamson looking fairly uncomfortable attacking the Nuggets. Led by the efforts of Zeke Nnaji, who started in place of the injured Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets held Zion to 13 points on 14 shots. It was an inefficient night for the star power forward made worse by poor defense. Nnaji scored 12 points of his own, and the Nuggets simply attacked Zion whenever they wanted.
Gordon is questionable for this game with calf injury management. The Nuggets are trying to be cautious with him, and rightly so. They proved they can beat the Pelicans without Gordon. Given that this game is the front end of a back-to-back and the second night is against Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and the Orlando Magic, Gordon’s former team, it wouldn’t surprise me if Gordon sat out again on Wednesday and played Thursday.
That will mean another important moment for Nnaji in the starting group.
Number of the Day – 1
That’s the number of days away from the NBA Trade Deadline. With as much activity as the NBA has seen so far, it’s a pretty nerve wracking time for most teams and players. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if tonight’s game gets weird because of that. Some will be able to compartmentalize and stay locked in on the game. Others might struggle, and understandably so.
Nugget who should have a good game: Nikola Jokic
Two days ago, Jokic had a “ho hum” game of 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, shooting 9-of-13 from the field, 1-of-3 from three, and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Jokic was of course brilliant, but it was his standard brilliance. Nothing too crazy or outlandish. I think that changes tonight. This game will probably be closer throughout (or not but who knows) and it’s unlikely that Porter will put up 36 points again. I expect Jokic, in response to more scoring likely being needed, to go for a big number tonight. Either that, or he draws even more attention than Monday and has closer to 15 assists.
Whatever the case, expect some fun moments once again for the three-time MVP.
Where to Watch: Comcast!
Altitude and Comcast finally came to an agreement yesterday. It only took five and a half years to get done, but they all found a way. For Comcast customers, Altitude should now be carried as part of the MSE package, so if you have that as a sports watcher, you’re in luck!