Denver Nuggets Get Reinforcements, Travel to Oracle to Face Dubs
The Denver Nuggets have not had the services of Danilo Gallinari over the past two weeks, and have not seen Jusuf Nurkic play in a game yet this season.
All that will change on Saturday as the Denver Nuggets travel to Oracle Arena in Oakland, California to face the NBA best and reigning champion Golden State Warriors. Jusuf Nurkic, who has not played since last season because of an ongoing knee injury. The second-year center from Bosnia impressed last year in his rookie campaign, averaging 6.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. Gallinari, who is the Denver Nuggets leading scorer so far this season, has missed the last six games due to an ankle injury, but should start tonight against Golden State.
Denver Nuggets’ Head Coach Michael Malone stated that Jusuf Nurkic will have minutes restriction on Saturday against the Warriors, limiting him to probably no more than 15 minutes of playing time. Though centers Joffrey Lauvergne and Nikola Jokic have played well in his absence, the return of Nurkic to the Denver Nuggets creates an interesting dynamic in the frontcourt, and remains unclear in what way Michael Malone will utilize his three centers. Perhaps a trade is coming to help solidify a scuffling squad?
Danilo Gallinari returns from an ankle injury suffered earlier in December. In his absence, reserve Will Barton has increased his production, leading the Denver Nuggets in scoring. Will Barton is averaging 23.1 points per game on nearly 50 percent shooting over the past eight games. With the return of Gallinari, the Denver Nuggets offense will receive a shot in the arm it desparately needs as the team is in the midst of a four game losing streak.
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The schedule has gotten down right brutal over the past week for the Denver Nuggets, as 3 of their last four games have come against the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. A road loss in Portland compounded matters; and now the Denver Nuggets have the unenviable task of facing Golden State at their house, where they have yet to suffer a defeat this season.
Saturday’s game in Oakland is the second time this season that the Warriors and the Denver Nuggets have faced one another, as Golden State won the first contest in Denver 118-105. Though the return of both Gallinari and Nurkic is fortuitous for Denver, the Golden State Warriors (30-2), will have the services of the reigning NBA MVP, Stephen Curry, after the star point guard missed his last two games due to an ankle injury.
The Warriors may also have Head Coach Steve Kerr back on the bench after missing the entirety of the 2015-2016 thus far after recovering from offseason back surgery. Going into Oracle is no small task, and it will almost certainly take a Herculean effort from the Denver Nuggets to leave Oakland with a victory.
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This year’s version of the Golden State Warriors are a historically good team, ranking first in points scored, first in assists, and fourth in rebounding. The only “deficiency” in the Warriors is that the boast a middling defense, ranking 18th in the Association in points allowed per game at 102.0.
Golden State is certainly not invincible, and with a good shooting night, the Denver Nuggets can certainly make this a game. If Will Barton can continue his excellent play as of late, and the Denver frontcourt can hold an advantage on the glass, this game may remain competitive past half-time and into its later stages.
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Regardless of how insurmountable the odds are to upset the champs on the road, the good news heralding the return of Jusuf Nurkic and Danilo Gallinari is a morale boost, and should provide the Denver Nuggets with some much needed firepower on Saturday.