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Denver Nuggets: Who must step up vs. Bulls

By Mathew Huff

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on November 20, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on November 20, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Coming off a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, there is one player on the Denver Nuggets who has to have a good game.

Which Denver Nuggets player would this be? That would be Torrey Craig. Ever since Will Barton went down with injury, he has been tasked with filling the offensive firecracker’s shoes in the starting rotation.

Problem is, Craig is not a well polished offensive talent and relies heavily on his stingy defense. Ever since he got put in the starting lineup, Craig has had trouble finding his rhythm.

So far this season, Craig is averaging only a putrid 3.6 points per game on an abysmal 36.4% shooting. Not to mention, his offensive rating is less than stellar at 83 and that is being more than generous.

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However, this Bulls game presents an opportunity for Torrey to get back on track and gain some confidence moving forward. The Chicago Bulls are in a full rebuild mode and even though they have a chance at winning like any NBA team on any given day, the Nuggets should take this game on paper.

With that being said, Craig has to be the X factor in this match up with Chicago. The Bulls are going to be keying in on the back court and front court, but they will not be expecting a surge out of Torrey Craig.

What better way to get out of a slump than to take advantage of this and force a team adjust their defensive game plan to focus on you? This in turn, could lead to more assists for Craig as it will open up scoring opportunities for the other starters in Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and of course, Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets are coming off an ugly win and a good way to get back to a winning streak is somehow getting Craig easy shots at the rim. Letting him cut to the basket like Harris does a lot while Jokic is working in the post could do the trick.

Next. Why you should support the Denver Nuggets. dark

All in all, Torrey Craig is clearly the player who needs to step up the most in this game.

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