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The Denver Nuggets (14-8, 8-6 away) tackle the New Orleans Pelicans (14-8, 8-3 dwelling) within the Large Straightforward. The Pelicans are at present on a 3-game win streak and sit because the third seed within the West, proper behind the Nuggets at second. New Orleans has been enjoying with out their second all-star, Brandon Ingram, for 4 video games now and can miss him tonight as effectively. In Nikola Jokić’s final 7 video games towards the Pelicans, he has 4 triple-doubles towards them. That doesn’t even embrace a recreation the place the Joker completed simply 1 help shy of one other triple-double both. This shall be Zion Williamson’s first recreation taking over Denver in over a yr and a half, it should even be his fifth profession matchup.
The Necessities
Who: Denver Nuggets (14-8, 8-6 away) @ the New Orleans Pelicans (14-8, 8-3 dwelling)
When: 1:30 PM MST
The place: Smoothie King Enviornment, New Orleans LA
Easy methods to watch/pay attention: Accessible on NBALeague Move and AltitudeTV in non-Denver markets, 92.5 FM KKSE Altitude Sports activities Radio
Rival Weblog: The Bird Writes
Anticipated Beginning Lineups:
DEN: PG Jamal Murray, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SF Bruce Brown, PF Aaron Gordon, C Nikola Jokić
NOP: PG CJ McCollum, SG Dyson Daniels, SF Trey Murphy III, PF Zion Williamson, C Jonas Valanciunas
Accidents:
DEN: Collin Gillespie (leg) OUT, Michael Porter Jr. (left heel pressure) OUT, Jeff Inexperienced (knee) DOUBTFUL
NOP: Brandon Ingram (toe) OUT, Herb Jones (ankle) OUT, E.J. Liddell (knee)
Three Issues to Look ahead to:
Jokić’s paint protection versus Zion Williamson
Nikola Jokić has little to no weaknesses in his recreation, however his paint protection is nothing to brag about. Whereas Jokić has gotten higher over time, Zion Williamson is a unique beast. Zion has been on a revenge tour after lacking all of final season with varied accidents, he scored 30 and 33 factors in his final two video games with 10 and 15 rebounds in every as effectively. He tends to attain most of his factors in transition or finishes on the rim, Jokić must carry his A-game to take care of Zion on protection.
Can KCP and MPJ make their youthful matchups pay
Each Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Porter Jr. are slated to be matched up towards Dyson Daniels and Trey Murphy III respectively. Whereas each Dyson and Trey have proven flashes offensively, they’re each nonetheless fairly younger. Each Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are extra skilled than Dyson or Trey, MPJ and KCP ought to be capable of make the most of them on offense.
Jokić triple-double/scoring outburst
Nikola Jokić’s final recreation versus the Pelicans was one thing particular, he completed with 46 factors, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 3/5 on three-pointers, 3 steals, and 4 blocks. He did all of that whereas propelling the Nuggets to a 138-130 win at dwelling. Aaron Gordon practically put up 30 of his personal factors and former Nugget Monte Morris practically scored 20 of his personal, all of that was barely sufficient to beat New Orleans. If Denver goes to beat the Pelicans tonight, they are going to both must play unbelievable protection or Jokić might want to have one other dominant efficiency whereas getting some assist from his teammates.
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