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Series Preview: Nuggets vs. Clippers

By Rex Foster

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket on Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Staples Center on February 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket on Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Staples Center on February 28, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers dribbles as he is guarded by Jerami Grant #9 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Staples Center on October 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers dribbles as he is guarded by Jerami Grant #9 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Staples Center on October 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Nuggets defensive matchups

When comparing both rosters, it worries me that the Nuggets won’t have enough wing defenders to properly matchup against the Clippers.

In previous matchups against the Clips, Jerami Grant is given the heavy task of guarding Kawhi but never fails to give The Claw a rugged time getting to the rim. Grant appears to have had the most defensive success guarding George though.

It won’t just be a one-man job defending Kawhi or George though, so Gary Harris and Torrey Craig are going to see big minutes on the floor.

Paul Millsap, playing like an ancient artifact, can still match up against players like Morris and Harrell. However, as games continue take a toll on the body of the aging Millsap, it’s going to be difficult to rely on him late in games.

Due to his general lack of defensive success, one can only wonder how much floor time we’ll be seeing from Michael Porter Jr, who looked worse defensively in the first round than he has all year.

There is a great risk – great reward factor to MPJ. On one hand, the Nuggets can get instant offense and a shooting spark. On the other, Denver can collapse on defense.

In Denver’s series against Utah where Porter was the primary defender, Jazz players shot an unacceptable 61% from the field and 59% from 3-point range. These numbers just can’t slide when facing off against the best scoring team of the postseason so far.

Unless he somehow spikes in defensive IQ or if Denver is in need of an offensive burst, it wouldn’t be surprising if MPJ receives a diminished amount of minutes (especially with Harris back into the rotation).

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