After a slow start to the season—partly brought about by head coach Mike Malone’s unpredictable rotation—Nikola Jokic is finally having the breakout season most thought he’ll have this campaign.
Jokic has been a big part of the Nuggets’ current three-game win streak, as he averaged 27.0 points per game during that stretch, including scoring 29 in the 127-121 road win over the Lakers on Tuesday. To demonstrate how hot the Nuggets’ offense has been of late, the team has put up 130.7 points and 33.0 assists during their current win streak.
Jokic and the Nuggets’ band of score-first mentality players will look to put up a better effort against the Spurs, against whom Denver lost to on Jan.5, 127-99. Jokic led the Nuggets in that game with 19 points, while Danilo Gallinari contributed 15.
The Nuggets hoisted 25 three-point attempts in that game against made just seven for an ugly 28.0 percent rate from deep. Just don’t expect the Nuggets from going gun-shy despite that horrid shooting night, as they’re averaging 11.7 3PM on 41.2 3FG% over their last three outings.
Denver is 4-2 ATS in its last six games in San Antonio.
The Spurs have been inconsistent lately, going 2-3 SU in their last five games, which includes a 122-114 home win against Minnesota on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, they’re a veteran team who is capable of taking young and upcoming teams back to earth. That’s what they intend to do against the streaking Denver squad, which they’ve beaten in 11 of the last 12 games of this series.
San Antonio held the Nuggets to just 99 points in the earlier meeting this season, the lowest Denver scored in its past 15 games. Part of their defensive success in that game was Kawhi Leonard, who had 24 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a block, while finishing with a +26 plus-minus. The Spurs are averaging 75.3 points this season when Leonard is on the floor.
LaMarcus Aldridge should also be a handful for the Nuggets later tonight. Aldridge had 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting in the previous meeting with Denver.
The Spurs’ defense is going to be key here, considering that San Antonio has limited opponents to just 93.0 points in all of its 32 wins thus far this season.
