Nuggets: Battle of the upcoming shooting guards
The Denver Nuggets have been one of the NBA’s most mysterious teams.
One night they shoot lights out and play stout defense so we think we might be turning the corner. Nonetheless, they come out the next night with zero energy and get blown out of the game. This inconsistency forces us to question the direction of the franchise.
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Well Nuggets fans, tonight is yet another trap game. We welcome the Phoenix Suns to Denver for a key match-up to keep us above .500. The Suns have a plethora of talent, but their team lives and dies by one individual. It is easy to say he is part of tonight’s key match-up.
Tonight’s Key Match-up – Devin Booker vs. Gary Harris
Devin Booker is on the verge of being an all-star caliber player. A scoring prodigy who is only three years removed from Kentucky, has already put up some insane numbers in his early NBA career.
Booker is averaging 25, five, and five respectively, and has put on a few impeccable scoring performances. Including a 70 point game in a loss to Boston in March of 2017 where he scored 51 in the second half. He can flat out score the ball, and his ability to get hot is something Denver needs to account for tonight.
There is only one person tonight that I fully believe has the ability to consistently contain Booker (for the most part) and that’s Gary Harris. Harris has been the Nugget’s best perimeter defender and frankly, best all around player.
Harris is currently averaging 17 points per game, but also pockets 2 steals per game. However, in his last game against Phoenix, he dropped 36 in a blowout win in January.
The Nuggets are going to need Harris to produce on both ends of the court to give Denver the best chance of victory. If Harris can force Booker to be a facilitator tonight and get him out of focus, the Nuggets have a great chance to walk away 22-20 on the year.