Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons: Paul Millsap versus Blake Griffin.
Tonight’s game should have little intrigue as far as match ups go. We decided to go with Blake and Paul simply because Drummond and Jokic have such dissimilar games, they probably won’t spend much time matched up.
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Millsap looks to be fully back into game shape and comfortable with his role. It does seem that his wrist (or the brace) are still causing him some discomfort.
The oft-injured Griffin has been sapped of some of his highlight-reel athleticism. He remains a dangerous interior player and is a strong man. The current state of his game could be favorably compared to Millsap’s.
That will make this matchup fun to watch. Mano a mano, man on man, straight up. That may be a stretch but it will pit both men’s strengths against the other. Both are in the neighborhood of 250lbs. Blake on a six-foot-ten frame, Paul stands six-foot-eight. Both men are creative around the basket and excel at making baskets after contact and/or fouls.
Millsap shoots slightly better from three (35.5% to 33.2%), Blake gets more rebounds (7.4 to 6.3). The two could hardly be more similar, on paper.
Look for Millsap to take advantage of his perimeter shooting, it works to the Nuggets advantage to draw Griffin to the corners, making it difficult for him to help or switch on Nikola.
Speaking of Nikola, Millsap could exploit his quickness advantage and dive to the basket every chance he gets. Let Jokic find him, force the Pistons to deal with Jokic by providing him plenty of options.
The Nuggets are in must-win mode, the Pistons are on life-support. If the Nuggets play with the required desperation, they should have no problem dispatching the sagging Pistons.
Next: Nuggets vs. Pistons: Preview
It should be fun to watch the Power Forwards go at it, there is a lot at stake.