Denver Nuggets: Keys to beating the Clippers

The Denver Nuggets’ fourth preseason game serves as a preamble for the regular season opener. What is needed to win Tuesday’s match-up against the Clippers?

The Denver Nuggets conduct a walk-through of their regular season debut Tuesday against Los Angeles. The Nuggets hope to bounce back after an inconsistent effort versus Perth.

Many questions arise as Denver’s next match-up draws nearer. Will Jokic and company start the game hot? Can they please compete for 48 minutes? Does Will Barton find his stroke against an actual NBA team? How will Denver’s second-unit defense handle Lou Williams?

These are important questions for success. Not just in this game, but October 17th’s season-opener as well. Here are three keys to beating the Clippers.

Denver Nuggets

Defense:

LAC isn’t exactly a superstar’s squad anymore. They’ve moved into a new era after Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan departed.

Despite no longer employing these great players, L.A. possesses plenty of solid scorers. Guys like Lou Williams, Tobias Harris and former Denver Nugget, Danillo Gallinari, present a perfect storm for the Nuggets. Denver’s defense has historically allowed decent players to resemble superstars. Any of these three could fit the trend.

Lou Williams averaged 22.6 points last year (ESPN). Denver cannot allow him any more than this. Harris and Gallinari averaged 19.3 and 15.3 respectively (ESPN). If one of them drops 30, this will destroy Denver’s chances Tuesday.

The Nuggets must lock up defensively, setting the tone for the new season. Otherwise…they could lose twice to LAC.

Jokic: 

With DeAndre Jordan no longer anchoring the middle, Jokic presents a match-up problem for L.A. Denver’s stud should be licking his chops, prepping for a monster game. Capitalizing off mismatches is something the Nuggets can improve for 2018-19. This holds especially true when Nikola is the benefactor.

Jokic should look for his shot early and often Tuesday, exploiting the giant match-up problem he poses. Who is going to stop him? Harrell? Marjanovic? Yeah, right.

If the offense doesn’t run through Jokic, Denver is leaving easy points on the table. Once the defense collapses, Nikola can dime teammates for open buckets.

If the Joker is utilized correctly, his play should blow the game wide open. The Nuggs could potentially flirt with 130.

48 minutes, please:

Denver dipped to the level of competition Friday, barely knocking off Perth 96-88. The Nuggets sprinted to a 48-28 lead, however Perth trimmed the deficit to 69-68 late in the third quarter.

For Nuggets fans, this effort is hardly encouraging. Sure Denver won, and it’s the preseason anyway. However, the starting unit’s inability to bury a non-NBA team is embarrassing. Denver’s playoff drought won’t end if this lackluster closing becomes common practice.

This game can be forgiven, if lessons are learned. Playing 48 minutes against weaker teams must be a focal point.

Denver lost a handful of games to sub- .500 teams last year. Even one more victory helps…as the Nuggets missed the playoffs by a combined two games in 2016-2018. Mile High fans cannot handle another year of heartbreak.