The Denver Nuggets take their talents to South Beach when they face the Heat on Friday night. Unfortunately some of their key talent is banged up as Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are all listed on the injury report. Jokic was a last-minute scratch from Denver’s loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night with what is reported as an elbow sprain that had all of Denver holding its collective breath, but him listed only as questionable gives hope that it is a minor issue and not another major complication for their season hopes. The Heat meanwhile are getting Jimmy Butler back after his seven game suspension for “detrimental conduct” related to his remarks about wanting a trade. Whether he will actually play is still up in the air, but there are a lot of pieces in motion for this game before they even step foot on the court. It’s an uncertain night in Miami that might have fireworks – or just some fizzle.
The Essentials
Who: Denver Nuggets (20-15) vs Los Angeles Clippers (20-16)
When: 6:00PM MST
Where: Kaseya Center, Miami FL
How to watch/listen: Denver Stiffs does not condone piracy. Altitude TV where available. NBA League Pass for those not in the Nuggets market. Altitude 92.5 FM. Say you have a new wrap for Nikola Jokic’s arm that will allow him to play (or alternately, have a trade offer for Jimmy Butler that Pat Riley will accept)
Rival Blog: Hot Hot Hoops
Injury report: Jamal Murray – probable (knee inflammation), Nikola Jokic – questionable (elbow sprain), Aaron Gordon – questionable (calf injury management), Vlatko Cancar – out (the worst luck ever and also knee surgery), DaRon Holmes II – out (Achilles); Josh Richardson – out (heel), Dru Smith – out (Achilles)
The Three Things
The thing to watch for: Will Jokic play?
Let’s be honest, that’s the thing Nuggets fans care about. The return of Jimmy Butler is fine, Mal and AG would definitely be helpful if they can go, but Jokic fuels so much about this team that even a minor health scare is terrifying to even contemplate. Here is hoping it IS minor, because I don’t really want to see Bam Adebayo versus Dario Saric, because that is not a matchup likely to go in Denver’s favor. DeAndre Jordan can handle the height and rebounding thing, but he definitely doesn’t cover for Jokic in any other area. With Murray and AG both hurting, even a left-handed Jokic would be better than none – and if he can’t play, should they rest Murray and Gordon as well?
Some schedule losses are expected when trying to get a thin Nuggets roster through the regular season, but it’s not like coach Michael Malone to ever accept them, and Jamal likes to talk his way on to the court – sometimes to his own detriment as well as the team’s. If Jokic can go, then maybe rest isn’t in the cards for anyone anyway. If he can’t, then the same squad that got blown out Wednesday night may have to find a more successful way to play without their MVP on the third game in four nights.
The thing to remember: Denver plays its best with its back against the wall
The Nuggets under Malone have played some of their best basketball when short-handed or with the odds against them. They have been great this year on low rest, they have won 8 of their last 11 despite the 20 point loss to Houston, and the players around Jokic have been finding their groove. Jamal Murray’s scoring touch has reappeared, Russell Westbrook is rejuvenated, Michael Porter Jr. had a bad game against the Rockets but has been pretty terrific this whole year. Even in that loss, Christian Braun came through with 32 points and he’s been someone the Nuggets need to play with that fire on both ends. If Jokic plays, he will need to go against a tireless Adebayo but Jokic will always take what the game gives him. He will never cheat it, but if he does sit then it’s up to the supporting cast to step up like they did against the Mavericks earlier in the week and handle their business.
Christian Braun and Peyton Watson will have their hands full with Tyler Herro, who has scored 32+ in his last three games, and it would be great if Jokic can give the Heat’s Nikola Jovic another big man lesson. Butler is obviously a huge wildcard in this thing – will his return aid or sabotage Miami? – but the uncertainty of all of it should keep Denver focused as they try to wash away that Houston loss and get back to their winning ways.
The thing to bet: Denver Moneyline (+120)
Denver is 9-1 in their last 10 games against the Heat (including the championship games). Denver is a bad matchup for Miami, so while the Nuggets are nicked up there’s no reason to think they won’t come out with the right focus to hurt Miami once again and then celebrate on South Beach. The Heat have to reintegrate Jimmy Butler while the Nuggets just need to ride out the early energy. Denver’s job is to defend the three-point line and grab rebounds, and that’s something they should be capable of with or without Jokic. That said – here’s hoping we get to see the Joker tonight.
