Within the 2 weeks since their final assembly with the San Antonio Spurs, the Denver Nuggets nonetheless have the look of a staff that will probably be representing the Western Convention within the NBA Finals. That being stated, it hasn’t been all sunshine over in Mile Excessive, as Denver lately dropped consecutive house video games to potential playoff opponents within the Phoenix Suns and fellow challenger for the #1 seed the Minnesota Timberwolves. They’ve additionally been with out level guard Jamal Murray, who has missed Denver’s final 5 video games with irritation in considered one of his knees. That simply signifies that 2x MVP Nikola Jokic should shoulder a bit extra of the load, one thing he’s actually able to doing.
The Spurs need to be feeling fairly good about themselves. Their 6 wins in March are probably the most they’ve had in any month this season and so they had an actual shot at selecting up their 4th win in a row Sunday evening earlier than finally developing brief towards the Golden State Warriors. With 4 of their ultimate 7 video games on the highway and with a couple of coming towards groups which are nonetheless preventing for playoff seeding, they are going to have their work minimize out for them to be considerably profitable so far as the Win column goes in April. If final month means something going ahead although, they’re going to compete till each considered one of these video games ends and with the way in which this season has gone, that’s all anybody may actually ask for at this level.
April 2 2024 | 8:00 PM CT
Watch: BSSW | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Keldon Johnson, foot (day after day), Devin Vassell, foot, (OUT), Dominick Barlow, knee (day after day), Jeremy Sochan, foot (OUT), Charles Bassey, out for the 12 months
Nuggets Accidents: Jamal Murray, knee (questionable), Nikola Jokic, day after day, Aaron Gordon, foot (day after day), Zelensky Nnaji, thigh (OUT)
What to look at for
The Victor Wembanyama-Nikola Jokic match-up is the plain promoting level any time these two groups have matched up this season. Wemby has regarded higher and higher with every passing week, however Jokic stays the usual for contemporary bigs. With 26 factors, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists (!!!) in Denver’s win Sunday over the Cavaliers, Jokic notched his twenty third triple double of the season, whereas Victor’s 32 factors within the loss to the Warriors marks the ninth time he’s hit the 30-point mark in his rookie season.
The trio of Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson each missed the Easter sport towards Golden State with foot accidents. Stealing a win from Denver, even with out Jamal Murray, will most certainly require these guys to be out on the ground. Whether or not or not their inclusions on the injured record had been simply finish of season upkeep stays to be seen. UPDATE: Each Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan at the moment are out for the remainder of the 12 months
Michael Porter Jr. completely performs the function that Nikola Jokic and head coach Michael Malone want him to play. Porter Jr. it’s requested to seize boards, defend, and to shoot/rating the basketball. He’s significantly good on the latter, capturing over 40% from past the arc and offering Jokic a really harmful kick out choice with a fast launch. If defenders are someway in a position to trouble jumpers coming from his 6’10” body, Porter Jr is greater than able to placing the ball on the ground and making them pay.
Mamu bought some run within the Warriors sport, placing up a double-double with 10 factors and 11 rebounds. Enjoyable issues normally occur when he finds his manner on the court docket, and with the season winding down there’s likelihood we see extra of him.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is coming off a season excessive 22 factors in Denver’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, going 6/9 from past the arc. Caldwell-Pope is the final word 3&D man and offers Jokic yet one more sniper (40% from 3) to search out for simple dimes.
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