![]() ![]() The Nuggets are at a bit of a travel and rest disadvantage here, but that does not dissuade me in this spot considering the Warriors are voluntarily keeping their best players off the floor due to conditioning. At this point, the Nuggets are a much more difficult test than the Lakers, and if the Warriors continue to ramp up their starters, it will put them at a rotational disadvantage. Jordan Poole led the bench in Box +/-, and his was a +1 compared to Klay’s +11, which was the worst among all starters. When they played the Lakers, the starters dominated however, the bench depth struggled. If the Warriors limit everyone besides Curry, this absolutely impacts their rotations and ability to compete to their maximum ability. Of the starters, Klay Thompson managed just 20 minutes and Looney just 21. The Warriors allegedly are not fully “conditioned” for the regular season, and Steve Kerr elected to run a 12-man rotation with only Stephen Curry playing more than 30 minutes (33). The Warriors destroyed the Lakers in the first game of the season behind a dominant third-quarter performance. In 2021-2022, the Nuggets were +12.5 points per 100 with Jokic, Gordon, and MPJ on the floor – that trio is dynamite.Įven if Murray can’t go, the addition of Ish Smith is significant as he’s an upgrade on Facu Campazzo, and although Bones Hyland struggled in 16 minutes of action against the Jazz, I expect him to put together a better showing against the Warriors.Īre the Warriors as Unstoppable as They Look? ![]() I have my reservations about Murray’s availability in this game, but that is something the other three are comfortable with given his absence all last season. Those lineups were +17.1 points per 100 possessions with an incredible offensive output of 127.2 points per 100, per Cleaning the Glass. One combination that was lethal for Denver two seasons ago featured lineups with Nikola Jokic, Murray, MPJ, and Aaron Gordon. ![]() Last season, the Nuggets took three of four from the Warriors in the regular season, but both of these teams have been restructured between new acquisitions and players returning from injury. I would not be surprised to see Murray miss this contest so he can play in Denver the following day. One important injury note – Murray was on a hard minutes restriction in Game 1 tonight is the first game of a back-to-back with Saturday being the team’s home opener. This team has all of the tools to contend, but can they gel this early in the season? The Denver Nuggets are considered a rising title contender this year with the recent acquisitions of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ish Smith and Bruce Brown coupled with the return of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Will the Nuggets right the ship, or will the Warriors dispatch of the Nuggets to start the season 2-0? Let’s break it down.Ĭan Jokic, MPJ and Gordon Lead the Nuggets to an Upset? The Warriors continued to look like Champions when they made quick work of the Los Angeles Lakers after their Ring Ceremony while the Denver Nuggets lost to checks notes the UTAH JAZZ?! ![]()
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