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How the Denver Nuggets can beat the Houston Rockets

By Peter Hooper

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets leads a huddle during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 9, 2018 at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets leads a huddle during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 9, 2018 at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Can  the Denver Nuggets beat the Houston Rockets?

If there is one feeling I get from speaking to Denver Nuggets fans, it’s that a win over Houston would mean quite a bit to Nuggets Nation. With the Denver Nuggets soaring high and currently the number one team in the West, it is very easy to be optimistic about the Denver Nuggets’ chances.

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However, on the other hand. With James Harden playing like the current MVP that he is, and looking like a real threat to repeat as MVP, there is ample opportunity to be pessimistic about tonight’s game too, should you so choose to be. Nevertheless, (as is always the case with us here at www.nugglove.com) we want to highlight the way forward for the Denver Nuggets.

With that being said, there is one word that paves the path for victory against the Denver Nuggets tonight. That word, is proactive. As previously mentioned in another article, the Denver Nuggets would be well-served if they are proactive on defense tonight.

Gerald Wallace is Houston But James Harden Is The Houston Rockets

One of the main areas coach Mike Malone can improve on, is ensuring the Denver Nuggets force their opponents to take tough shots.

Rather unsurprisingly James Harden leads the NBA in usage rate (despite missing 3 games due to injury). What this means for the Denver Nuggets is, if you solve James Harden, you win the game.

Sounds, so simple, for something so, so difficult. Especially, given the fact that James is averaging an eye-popping 8.5 assists per game. Which is tied with Jeff Teague for 4th best in the NBA. Which all points to another challenging truth for the Denver Nuggets.

The Denver Nuggets’ Defensive Objectives

The task tonight is to stop Harden as an individual scorer, but also to stop James as a facilitator too. This essentially means limiting the amount of free throws and 3 pointers James Harden makes.

Whilst simultaneously limiting the easy baskets that the rest of the Rockets get. Given the size of the task at hand, the Denver Nuggets will have to rely on team and help defense to be effective.

For this game the Denver Nuggets would do well to put forward their best defensive line-up. Plus, it is inevitable that Denver will have to do a lot of switching. As the task alternates from stopping Harden, to stopping the rest of his team.

Some good news for Nuggets fans is the fact James leads the NBA in turnovers  with an average of 5.60 per game. Moreover as a team the Rockets are 15th in the NBA for points given up from turnovers. They average 16.8 points (given away) per game.

Suffice to say, their should be a lot of defense to offense action going on tonight.

The Denver Nuggets On Offense

The Houston Rockets are the 12 best defense in the NBA. However, that defense provides ample opportunities for Denver to exploit.

Houston are 27th in the NBA for points given up in the paint. With Denver expending energy, switching on defense to slow down Houston. It is in Denver’s interest to capitalize on Houston’s weakness with their signature passing style.

Additionally, another area where the Houston Rockets are severely under performing is their defensive rebounding. They are last in the NBA in this category. Which incidentally was one of the things that the Nuggets did well in their last game.

As with that game, ideally Jokic and Millsap will be a terror on the offensive boards although, the more the merrier.

With all that has been said, the  Nuggets should find a rough manual of how to force Houston away from their strengths.

Also provided above, is some insights into the Rockets’ main weaknesses, that Denver can capitalize on. Which should ensure the Nuggets have enough energy to dominate tonight’s game on both sides of the floor.

Next. Top 10 Nuggets of all time. dark

Please be sure to tune in tonight, to catch all the action.

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