There are 10 games left in the regular season, and the Nuggets’ biggest game is their next game. Tonight, the Clippers are in town. Harrison Wind, Brendan Vogt and Adam Mares discuss what they’re watching for tonight, what they currently think the Nuggets’ best five-man lineup is and which opponent would be Denver’s best matchup in the first round.
What are you watching for tonight vs. the Clippers?
Harrison: I’m less worried about a Nikola Jokic bounce back and more concerned with which role players are going to show up over the Nuggets’ last 10 games. I know Monte Morris will be OK, but who else can you rely on for a quality game right now? Even if Michael Porter Jr. eventually rejoins the lineup (I don’t feel great about a Jamal Murray return right now), the Nuggets are going to need Will Barton and Aaron Gordon to find some sort of a rhythm over these last 10 if they want to get out of the first round.
Brendan: Everyone’s favorite game — can the Nuggets get the ball to Nikola Jokić? Lue and company are some of the best at denying Jokić and throwing the Nuggets into disarray. Can the Nuggets get him the ball, or, preferably, find a way to attack the glaring holes without him?
Adam: Eventually we need to see the Nuggets find a solution when defenses double Jokic before he catches the ball. Ty Lue and the Clippers basically invented this defense. They have long defenders at all 5 positions. Now that it is becoming an increasingly common strategy against this shorthanded Denver team, I expect that the Nuggets will either solve the problem and find a way to take advantage of the teams overloading so hard…or fold and bow out of the hunt for the 6-seed.
What’s currently the Nuggets’ best five-man lineup?
Harrison: Morris – Hyland – Rivers – Gordon – Jokic
I really wonder if we’re going to get into the playoffs (not factoring in a return of any of Denver’s injured players) and Bones Hyland will be closing fourth quarters in the playoffs. It feels like he’s gaining more and more confidence with every game right now. Rivers and Gordon puts two of Denver’s best three perimeter defenders on the floor, and Hyland and Morris give you two reliable shooters. Of course, this lineup has played zero minutes this season. If Barton can’t get it together, I could see Denver giving this five heavy minutes together in the near future.
Brendan: Morris – Rivers – Gordon – Jeff Green – Jokic
Bones is one of the five best players on this team, but I think he’s right where he needs to be leading the bench and occasionally dipping his toes into more expansive waters. It’s been so long since Barton’s made a positive impact. I don’t think the starting lineup will or should change just yet, but he’s probably on the outside looking in when it comes to this question.
Adam: Monte-Rivers-Gordon-Green-Jokic
It’s not the most sexy and it isn’t the most dynamic but It provides the requisite amount of defense while holding on to just enough versatility and ability to play read-and-react basketball to work for the Nuggets.
Who should be the Nuggets’ preferred first-round opponent?
Harrison: I don’t think there’s a great answer here. Avoid the play-in and you get who you get. If it’s the Warriors, you hope Steph Curry isn’t 100% and Jokic can punish the Warriors inside even with Draymond Green, who’s probably sagging way off of Aaron Gordon or Jeff Green, disrupting with double-teams. If it’s the Grizzlies, you hope the inexperience of Memphis’ role players shows in a heightened playoff environment. I’m taking my chances with the Grizzlies.
Brendan: Not a play-in team would be the best-case scenario. Any team. But if beggars may choose, I’d take Golden State. Their injuries are unfortunate but might even out the playing field, and the Warriors will likely struggle with Jokić.
Adam: The Golden State Warriors are terrifying if they have a healthy Steph Curry. They are extremely beatable if they do not. At the moment, it looks like they might be the best matchup for Denver but all bets are off if Curry returns earlier than expected.
