The Denver Nuggets currently lead the Philadelphia 76ers at the half.
The Denver Nuggets are leading the young and budding Philadelphia 76ers. In Markelle Fultz’s return, Denver has done somewhat of a decent job of containing this high powered 76ers offense.
Joel Embiid is having his way with Nikola Jokic in the post, but is struggling from the free throw line. The help defense is going to have to be better in the second half in order for Jokic to improve on the defensive end of the floor.
At one point of the game, Jokic was talking with Torrey Craig after Craig failed to help on Embiid which resulted in a foul on the Joker. Jokic is still finding ways to be productive on the offensive end of the floor though.
Wilson Chandler has also been key, despite only having two points. He has found other way to be productive. Chandler has soared and grabbed a total of seven rebounds and has five key assists as well. Not to mention, he is a plus 13 in the box plus/minus department.
Will Barton started off hot as he had the first nine points of the entire game and finished with a team high 20 points to end the half for the Denver Nuggets. To top it off, he is shooting very efficiently. Barton is currently shooting 58.3% from the field.
The Nuggets look to be in good shape so far, but they must find a way to slow down Joel Embiid if they want to keep the momentum going their way. If not, they may be in for one of their classic Denver Nuggets collapses in the second half, something we have seen too much this year.
Let’s hope the Nuggets can maintain the aggressiveness in the second half on the road in the city of Philadelphia.