It was just a year and a half ago that the Denver Nuggets were the toast of the NBA. They had come off an NBA franchise record 57 wins, despite not having a single superstar on the roster. GM Masai Ujuri was the new “it-GM”, having turned a team everyone had written off, due in large part to Carmelo Anthony forcing his way out of town, into what seemed to be a contender and a team others wanted to copy. The biggest compliment in the NBA.
First Ujiri left to take over the Raptors, then George Karl, the architect of the league’s most potent offense, was unexpectedly fired, and finally it’s best player, Andre Iguodala, left to sign with Golden State. Today, instead of a young promising team taking the league by storm, the Nuggets have a roster of mostly middle-aged (for the NBA) players on a team that will miss the playoffs for the second year in a row.
This is the team that the Raptors will be facing tonight.
In many ways, Ty Lawson is like an even more miniature version of Kyle Lowry. He’s relentless and fearless, which can be good and bad. For both the Nuggets and their opponents. While he’s having the worst shooting season of his career, he’s still dangerous and still their leader and arguably their best player.
Kenneth Faried is a hurricane on the court, having scored 26 points and grabbing 25 rebounds in Denver’s last game against the T-Wolves, but there’s a reason he only plays 25 minutes per game. While he’s dangerous in a full court game, when the game slows down, his lack of a jumper and inability to defend the post becomes a liability.
The Nuggets are a better team when they run, which is also the strength of the Raptors, so it will be interesting to see if the Raptors slow the game down, or just play to their own strength.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
Who Will Win The Battle Of The Point Guards?
While Lowry is having the best season of his career, Lawson, as mentioned, has struggled shooting this season, which has hurt his numbers and the Nuggets. Lawson did score 29 points, on 50% shooting, and dish out 9 assists two games ago against the Brooklyn Nets.
Will Denver’s Thin Air Play A Role?
If this gets into a running game, Denver’s home court advantage becomes more of a factor. Back in the early 90’s, Paul Westhead took this idea to a whole new level by super-injecting the Nuggets offense and making the Suns’ “7-seconds or less” look like a slow walk. They ended up scoring 119.9 ppg while allowing 130.8 ppg. No, that’s not a typo. That’s probably the main reason they only won 20 games that season. Well that and the fact that Michael Williams and Orlando Woolridge were their best players. But they did win 17 of their 20 wins at home, so they had the right idea. The problem came when they played on the road, where they didn’t have home court advantage.
But I digress.
If the Raptors run, as they so often do, it might play into Denver’s hands.
Terrence Ross’ Shooting
In the last eight games, Ross has shot above 39% just twice, so it will be interesting to see if Ross breaks out of his mini-slump. He’s one of the best shooters on the team and the Raptors need him to play well.
BREAKDOWN
STARTERS
The Nuggets have talent, but the Raptors are better at just about every position.
Edge: Raptors
BENCH
One of the reasons the Nuggets were able to win 57 games, when they did, was because they had one of the best benches in the NBA. Now, with Danilo Gallinari injured again, the Nuggets rather meagre bench is even less productive. If J.J. Hickson is your “best” bench player, that’s a problem.
Edge: Raptors
COACHING
Brian Shaw was one of the most respected assistant coaches in the league, and then he took over the Nuggets. Now he’s seen as a guy who is probably better as an assistant coach.
Edge: Raptors
PREDICTION
While the Raptors are the better team, you can never underestimate the mile-high home court advantage. And while the Raptors won a tough one against the Clippers last night, having the second game in a back-to-back in Denver might be a problem, especially at the end of the game.
Score: Nuggets 111 – Raptors 107
