After winning three games in a row with Russell Westbrook at starting point guard, there’s a possibility that Jamal Murray returns to the floor for the Denver Nuggets tonight.
Let’s delve into the Miami Heat matchup:
Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat
Projected Starting Lineups
Denver: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Michael Porter Jr., Nikola Jokic
Miami: Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo
Key Bench Players
Denver: Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Hunter Tyson, Zeke Nnaji or DeAndre Jordan
Miami: Alec Burks, Pelle Larsson, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Kel’el Ware
Notable Injuries
Denver: Jamal Murray – QUESTIONABLE, Aaron Gordon – OUT, Vlatko Cancar – OUT, DaRon Holmes II – OUT
Miami: Jaime Jaquez Jr. – QUESTIONABLE, Tyler Herro – AVAILABLE, Kevin Love – OUT
Key for the Nuggets – Momentum
The Nuggets have played at a fast pace the last few games, faster than anyone in the NBA. Part of the reason is Westbrook playing in the starting lineup and getting extended minutes. The other minutes have also been fast though, with lineups featuring Julian Strawther and Christian Braun in the backcourt getting up and down the floor.
If Jamal Murray returns, he should try and continue that high tempo. He may not be able to match that speed from Denver, but he can’t just slow the game down to a crawl. He has to get out and run where possible. That high pace has helped the Nuggets win games and could really bother Miami, who play at the second slowest pace in the NBA.
Important Matchup – Nikola Jokic vs Bam Adebayo
There’s nowhere else to go with this one. Nikola Jokic has been tremendous to start the season, averaging an absurd 28.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game. The Nuggets are playing through him more than ever before. Bam Adebayo will do his best to limit Jokic by denying him the basketball, playing great defense, and working Jokic on the other end.
These are two of the very best in the business going at it.
Number of the Day – 8
That’s the number of players in last game’s rotation for Michael Malone and the Nuggets. It worked out against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it may not be a sustainable way for Denver to operate throughout an entire season.
Jamal Murray might be back to make it nine players. Aaron Gordon remains out. Do the Nuggets trust anyone else on their bench to execute the game plan against Miami? It seems unlikely.
Nugget who should have a good game: Michael Porter Jr.
Porter will probably spend significant time tonight being guarded by Nikola Jovic, a young Serbia forward in his third year. Jovic is more offensive than defensive minded, and Porter should be able to find gaps in the defense to rise and fire from three. The Heat also like to play zone, and the best way to break a zone is to space the floor.
Porter seems likely a great candidate to shoot 10+ three-pointers tonight.