The Denver Nuggets are about to play a lot of games in a short amount of time.
After winning in an overtime game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, the Nuggets travel back to Denver on a tough back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns. These two teams will play each other twice in a row, including on Christmas night in Phoenix. It’s a weird schedule for Denver, but that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes.
Can Denver protect their home court? They are 7-4 at home this season.
Let’s delve into the Phoenix Suns matchup:
Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns
Projected Starting Lineups
Denver: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
Phoenix: Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Royce O’Neale, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic
Key Bench Players
Denver: Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, Hunter Tyson, DeAndre Jordan
Phoenix: Monte Morris, Josh Okogie, Ryan Dunn, Mason Plumlee
Notable Injuries
Denver: Christian Braun – PROBABLE, Dario Saric – DOUBTFUL, Vlatko Cancar – OUT, DaRon Holmes II – OUT
Phoenix: Devin Booker – OUT, Grayson Allen – OUT, Bol Bol – OUT
Key for the Nuggets – Three-Point Disparity
For a long time, the Suns and the Nuggets had this scenario happening in reverse. The Nuggets would get up threes against a Suns team heavily focused on mid-range scoring. Now, the Suns are attempting the 10th most three-pointers in the NBA and making the sixth most (as of yesterday). The Nuggets are 30th in attempts, and though they are identical in three-point percentage to the Suns, they’re making about three fewer three-pointers per game.
The Suns do a good job of protecting the paint against the Nuggets, so Denver will be forced to take some threes. Will they shoot efficiently on a back-to-back at altitude? Remember, Denver’s coming back and won’t be adjusted. It’s likely that Denver will be gassed and outside shots will be short.
Important Matchup – Kevin Durant vs Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson
Durant is always an impossible cover, and he seems to get more impossible to cover with age somehow. He’s averaging over 27 points per game on 63% True Shooting, consistently finding opportunities to score when he’s not receiving blanket coverage. If defenders are too close, he also draws fouls well, attempting 6.2 free throws per game.
This is a matchup that’s tough for anyone, but it’s why the Nuggets have Aaron Gordon. Denver paid Gordon to be their primary forward defender for the next few years, and so far, his defense this season has been merely okay. Denver needs a great performance from Gordon tonight against Durant.
Fortunately, the Nuggets also have Peyton Watson to match up with Durant throughout the game. That’s a possible option for Denver if Gordon struggles.
Number of the Day – 4
That’s the number of wins the Nuggets have on the second night of a back-to-back so far this season. Denver’s 4-0 in those situations, a surprisingly resilient number given Denver’s issues with two or more days of rest. The Nuggets are 3-6 with two or more days off between games this season.
Perhaps Denver should play 82 games in 82 days next season.
Nugget who should have a good game: Michael Porter Jr.
Yes, he just had a poor game in which he got benched. Yes, he’s in trade rumors.
So far on the second night of a back-to-back, Michael Porter Jr. has posted 15+ points on 50%+ from the field in all four matchups. It often doesn’t matter what happened the night before. Porter keeps himself ready in these moments and is always productive.
The Nuggets could use another strong scoring performance from him tonight. Phoenix will be efficient offensively, and the Nuggets will have to match them from both the field and behind the arc. We will see if Porter can get up some threes to keep up with Kevin Durant and company.
Hopefully, Porter can put some of last night’s struggles behind him and just play. Less thinking. More doing. More cutting and rebounding especially.