Preview: The Denver Nuggets take on the Chicago Bulls again, this time at the Ball Arena – Denver Stiffs
November 25, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) reacts during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets are looking to avenge a double overtime loss against the Chicago Bulls in a home and home game that will help make the NBA preseason what it is. Julian Strawther looked like a bench spark plug again last game, but Denver went 1-1 in the preseason despite some late heroics from the deep bench. Denver’s bench faced Chicago’s starters for most of the third quarter in the final game and lost the game easily. If it comes back, it’s worth a look.
essentials
Who: Denver Nuggets (1-1) vs. Chicago Bulls (1-1)
When: 7:00 PM MDT.
Location: Ball Arena, Denver CO.
Watching/Listening: Denver Stiffs don’t condone piracy…unless it’s romanticized from the 18th century. Altitude TV when available (Altitude TV is available on: DirectTV, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV and Charter Cable) NBA League Pass for viewers outside the Nuggets market. Altitude Radio 92.5 FM.
Competing blog: Blog-A-Bull
Injury report: Christian Braun – Questionable (calf), Michael Porter Jr. – doubtful (ankle), Vlatko Cancar – out (knee); Lonzo Ball – Out (knee)
Three things
Can Julian Strawther keep it up?
Strawther was electric through two preseason games (and one scrimmage open to fans). He can do his deep kicks quickly and accurately even while moving. He can cut the rim or drive away from the DHO with the kind of quick second gear that all good slashers have. His pushable hover means he doesn’t even have to reach the shelf to be dangerous. All the questions about Julian may be on the defensive side of the ball, but on the offensive end, he has lived up to his promise. Strawther also played up to his height, at 6’7 he can influence rebounds and impact shots on smaller guards and wings. The Nuggets are trying to figure out who will be benched after Reggie Jackson and Christian Braun are locked up. Strawther has thrown a hard hat into the ring and looks to continue that work tonight. Can the Nuggets close the rebounding gap?
Chicago beat Denver 56-39 in the last game, thanks in large part to Andre Drummond treating the Nuggets bench like little kids trying to block him from the 8-foot hoop. Just jumping and hoping for rebounds didn’t cut it, and it didn’t during the regular season either. The Nuggets need to limit Chicago’s offensive possessions, and that will be difficult to do without some solid shooting and team rebounding.
Denver’s wingspan is good,
but interior size and length on the bench
are poor, and with DeAndre Jordan as
the only true backup on the 5 roster, they
need to do the little things right to grab
the boards and push the tempo. The last
game was good to expose the problem,
this game gives them an immediate
opportunity to show improvement
against the same team.
Can Denver show changes in the rotation?
It’s hard to gauge the rotation so far,
because both Michael Porter Jr. and
Christian Braun have yet to play in the
preseason, but Denver’s starting lineup
certainly doesn’t need time to build
chemistry. Their chemistry is award
winning. Younger players who may have
to play alongside the starters could use
time in a playing environment with either
Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray, and the
middle of the preseason schedule is as
good a time as any to do so. Getting Zeke
Nnaji minutes at 4 or Strawther with
more than 3 could help show both
potential and areas for growth.
Prediction: This is the pre-season, we
don’t make predictions. Have fun
watching the defending champions mix
up games that don’t matter – the real
games are just around the corner.
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