Opponent Scouting: Denver Nuggets (10-6)
Tonight at 9:00pm EST the Detroit Pistons will continue their west-coast swing with a game in Denver against the Nuggets. Both teams are on one night of rest with the Pistons having lost to the Kings while the Nuggets defeated the Mavericks.
The Them:
The Nuggets are really good. Much like previous years they have some injury issues that are keeping them from finding their stride, but they come into the game with the league’s 7th best offense and the 26th defense.
This preview may end up being a mess because of Denver's lengthy injury report. As of this writing, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Ish Smith are all possibly out with Jokic and Murray being in health and safety. Given that I write these the night before I can only go with that information for now. So if it is announced in the afternoon that some of them are playing simply adjust accordingly.
With everyone out, Michael Porter Jr. will be taking on a significant offensive role. Porter is big, athletic, and skilled. His passing is more or less non-existent but he fits the exact mold of an athletic wing scorer. Athletic enough to score in the paint, skilled enough to hit tough shots from anywhere on the court, and confident enough to take shots from all over the court. He’s averaging just 16.3 points per game on this crowded Denver team, but he should have a green light if that injury report holds. Pistons legend Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is here, he’s the same player he has been for years now which is pretty much the same player that left Detroit. A good, if sometimes inconsistent, shooter from deep, athletic in transition, a plus perimeter defender, with at least a small amount of off-the-dribble umph. KCP is on an absolute tear from deep so far this season shooting an absurd 51%. Fellow Pistons legend Bruce Brown remains a tough defender and smart cutter and is often the de-facto point-guard. Even though Brown doesn’t take a high volume of threes he is shooting 38% from deep so far. One last Pistons legend is here in DeAndre Jordan, he’s old and not good anymore but he is large and can still jump a bit. Jeff Green is still alive and even though he’s old he can still do a little bit of everything. Bones Hyland came off the bench for a huge 29 points last time out and is looking like an excellent later draft find by Denver as he’s averaging 16 points per game in just 22 minutes. Classic off the bench gunner.
After that is largely guys who probably wouldn’t be serious rotation members if not for the injuries. Davon Reed, Christian Braun, and Zeke Nnaji and Vlatko Cancar are all various forms of wings/forwards that can shoot a bit.
With Jokic to hold it all together, this is still a potent team, without him it teeters on insolvency. But they are well coached, play hard, and at home, the altitude is always a factor.
What about the guys who probably won’t play but might?
Jokic is the greatest passing big man who’s ever played and also by the way one of the league’s best and most efficient scorers. Jamal Murray is still working his way back from injury but is a prolific gunner from deep who forms one of the worlds best two-man games with Jokic. Aaron Gordon is athletic, strong, a good defender, and skilled enough to cover the needed bases. Ish Smith is very fast.
Matchups to watch:
Killian Hayes vs. Staying on the path: If there is one silver lining to the Cade injury it is Hayes entering the starting lineup and finding some rythmn. In the last 7 games he’s putting up 11.4/4.7/3.3 while shooting 41% from the field and 42% from deep. That isn’t world-breaking and it isn’t living up to the hype some put on him in the draft, but combine it with elite defense and that is a player you can work with. Assuming Cade remains out for an extended period this is likely Hayes' last legit shot to prove he is a part of the core going forward, so far, so good.
Pistons vs. Getting some good vibes: I’ve been pretty clear about my belief that this team was going to suck even before the season started so a tank-job was inevitable. That said, the losses are piling up in a row in a way that isn’t good even for such a bad team. It’s good for even a tanking team to pick up Ws every couple of weeks to keep morale from cratering, we are pretty much at that point here.
Jaden Ivey vs. Aggression: Like Hayes, he needs to grasp the increased opportunity and responsibility of Cade being out. Ivey should be getting up close to 20 shots per night.
Pistons vs. Defensive solvency: The Pistons are so young that defense is bound to be bad, especially with Marvin Bagley in the lineup, but they need to tighten it up at least a bit. Especially against this Nuggets team that is missing its primary engines.
Kevin Knox vs. Not being awful: Knox may get some more run if Bey is out. He didn’t suck against the Kings, it would be nice if he could replicate that.
Duren vs. Being the biggest dog: Duren is bigger and stronger than most guys in the league already. He needs to remember that as he forces his way inside.
Marvin Bagley vs. Foul trouble: Pretty obvious after the last few games. Got to stay on the court.
Run for the hills if:
“By god is that Nikola Jokic’s music??”
Michael Porter is cooking everyone the Pistons throw at him
Bruce Brown revenge game
Wink knowingly at your friends if:
Marvin Bagley is taking a somewhat soft interior to task
Jaden Ivey is getting to the hoop.
The belief o’meter continues to rise.