The Denver Nuggets will battle the New Orleans Pelicans for the second time this season.
The Denver Nuggets will take on the New Orleans Pelicans for the second time this season after defeating them at the Pepsi Center earlier. Things will look a lot different this time though.
More from Nugg Love
- Was trading Bones Hyland a mistake for the Denver Nuggets?
- Did Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets break Anthony Davis?
- Denver Nuggets stars face serious disrespect in recent NBA rankings poll
- What will it take for Denver Nuggets star to become ‘inevitable?’
- Denver Nuggets NBA Training Camp report, other preseason dates to know
For starters, this time will be in the city of New Orleans. Also, the Nuggets’ two stars will be out. This will be key since New Orleans will actually be able to utilize their star front court since Paul Millsap won’t be there to contain them. Nikola Jokic also won’t be there to stretch the front court of Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins.
As a result, the Pelicans’ two stars will most likely have a hey day down in the paint. There is no way Denver will be able to contain them and get lucky like they did the last time.
On the other hand, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris are coming off a hot performance against the Dallas Mavericks. If Gary and Jamal can out play the back court of the Pelicans consisting of Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holliday, Denver will be in good shape. Do not even think about out playing Cousins and Davis with Plumlee and Faried, no disrespect to them.
But, the other players from the perimeter for the Nuggets will have to step up. Wilson Chandler needs to prove he can be a starter after the debacle against Dallas the other night. He did just get back from injury, but if Denver will have any success on this road trip, Chandler must contribute at a better clip.
It will be a tough battle, but if New Orleans overlooks the Nuggets despite being short handed, it could be a closer game than many people think.
Next: Player grades from Nuggets vs Mavericks
Denver must be more prepared than they were against Dallas.