The Denver Nuggets are on a four game win streak and making a hard push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Denver Nuggets are having one of their best stretches of the entire season. Despite having a rather porous offensive showing against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they were still able to prevail keeping their post season hopes alive.
The Nuggets have struggled all year long against this Los Angeles Clippers squad. In the last match up, head coach, Doc Rivers, exploited Nikola Jokic’s defensive weak points by inserting in Boban Marjanovic. The result? A career night for Boban which led to a Clippers win which knocked the Nuggets down a few pegs in the Western Conference standings.
For whatever reason, the Clippers have had the Nuggets number so far this year. However, they will come into this game knowing this and have a chip on their shoulder. They are hungry for a playoff spot and are willing to knock out anyone who gets in their way of their ultimate goal.
Nikola Jokic will have to start off much better than he did in the Minnesota game. DeAndre Jordan will be his match up and can be a very physical defensive presence. It will be key for the offense to create space for Jokic to shoot jump shots which will draw Jordan away from the rim.
The second unit will also have it’s hands full. Lou Williams looks as if he is a lock for Sixth Man of the Year and slowing him down will be easier said than done. Williams has been vital for the Clippers in their two games against the Nuggets. If Denver can take him out of the game as a threat, they will be in good shape.
The bench has to play better than they did against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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It will be a hard fought game. However, with how hot Denver has been, this game could be the one which solidifies their post season positioning.