Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets: Matchup Preview

The Denver Nuggets step one more time in the Pepsi Center to host James Harden and the Houston Rockets.

It is not easy to write this article as I’m still swallowing the fact that James Harden will face the Denver Nuggets tonight. Don’t get me wrong. I believe 100% that the Nuggets can take this game. But it will be no easy task, and that’s for sure.

Last game against the Heat, the Nuggets were once again close on going out of the Pepsi Center with the win. But an outrageous outscore in the final quarter cost them the game. Indeed we are seeing a better Nuggets team that we ever expected, and they are still learning, but it is these kinds of games that will end up costing the Nuggets that path to the post season.

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It may be early to tell, but you never know. Now, getting back to tonight’s game, the Rockets are coming off a huge performance, as they ended the 12 game winning streak of the Golden State Warriors in double overtime in which James Harden had his fourth triple double of the season.

The Beard is going wild, as he is, and I quote Mr. Kenny Smith from NBA Inside: “The second best player in the league right now.” James Harden is taking his level of talent to a whole new level and is playing the point guard position BETTER than most point guards in the league. Sure, he has basically all of the possessions, but still, he is making sure that the Rockets stay on track.

Here is where the Nuggets come in. They have one simple problem that they cannot seem to control. THEY CAN’T STOP STARS. Remember that first game of the season against the Pelicans? Anthony Davis scored 50 on them. That first game against the Raptors? DeRozan poured in 33 points. Damian Lillard? Scored 37 on the first game and 32 on the second one. That one great game against the Thunder? Westbrook scored 36. And the list goes on with names like Jimmy Butler, Karl Anthony-Towns, Eric Bledsoe and even Hassan Whiteside, all of which have single handedly put on a show against the Nuggets.

Would they be able to stop James Harden who is averaging 28.7 PPG, 7.7 REB and 12.0 AST? Maybe, maybe not. But what they can do is keep everybody else at bay. Yes, every star has done whatever they want against the Nuggets, showing off their skills and impressing everybody, but the Nuggets haven’t held back. They have fought, and the majority of the games have ended with a marginal point differential.

They won’t be able to stop James Harden, but they need to focus on handling the other talent. Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Trevor Ariza – key players that contribute to the team. If the Nuggets are able to put a stop to the key individuals and create their own offense, they can come home with the dub. Good news tonight? Will Barton returns.

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That should take pressure off guys like Nelson or Mudiay. Bad news? Rookie of the Month winner, Jamal Murray, maybe won’t have as many minutes as we would like, but I’m sure Malone will think of something.

The Nuggets need to think outside the box. Make simple plays and go with the flow. If they can stop the Rockets three point shooting (they set an NBA record for most games with 10+ 3 pointers), I’m sure they can walk out of the Pepsi Center with the win.