The keys to the Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls game.
Looking at the big picture for the Denver Nuggets, there is a lot to be happy about. As far as tonight’s game, there are a few things that the Denver Nuggets will need to focus on to ensure victory.
Denver’s Fab Five
First and foremost, Denver’s starters need bounce back from their recent funk. Lately, they have looked like anything but the their regular selves.
Paul Millsap (34.5%), Jamal Murray (37.8%), Gary Harris (39.6%) , Nikola Jokic (39.6%), were all respectable from 3 last year.
Tonight, Denver’s starters need to light things up from deep. After all, Denver’s recent bench play has been an encouraging development because the starters are expected to at least duplicate, if not excel their production last year.
As is sometimes said, the best defense can be one’s offense. With the Chicago Bulls arguably being the new Denver Nuggets of the East. (That is, a team rife with weapons from their starters right through to their bench). The Denver Nuggets would do well to ensure both the starters and back ups, play well.
Denver’s Bench
Speaking of Denver’s bench, they simply need to keep on doing what they have been doing. Every game, every minute played is an opportunity to prove what they are capable of.
Thus far, Denver’s bench has been doing just that. Continuing to play that way should bode well for all involved. However, can it be said that we’ve seen the best that Denver’s reserves have to give?
Absolutely not. For that reason, Denver’s bench must continue to strive for greatness and to paraphrase Michael Jordan, aspire to play the perfect game.
Putting the ‘D’ in Denver
Each game this preseason has been great for Denver, because they have all posed their unique challenges. One of the main challenges facing Denver tonight is seeing how they handle a team with their fair share of weapons.
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It’s no coincidence that the game’s elite and most recent champions (MJ, LeBron, Kobe, Dwayne Wade…) were capable of dominating on both ends of the court. With a team like Chicago, that has: Jabari Parker, Zach Lavine, Lauri Markannen, Wendell Carter Jr and Bobby Portis. Will Denver resort to trying to simply outscore Chicago with its own firepower?
Hopefully, with the likes of Paul Millsap, Mason Plumlee, Malik Beasley, Torrey Craig and others, Denver will make things easier on themselves by playing good defense.
Last but not least, Denver will need to look after the basketball. For most of this preseason the Nuggets have made things harder on themselves by turning over the ball. In their last game, the Nuggets did do a better job, limiting their turnovers to 12.
Progress in this area will need to continue if the Denver Nuggets want to make short work of the Chicago Bulls.