Nets Searching for Consistency Amid Struggles, Nuggets Dominating Despite Key Injuries
Brooklyn Nets vs Denver Nuggets: Nets Seek Bounce Back Against Hot Nuggets
The NBA’s Friday night action heats up with an exciting cross-conference clash as the Brooklyn Nets (13-24) take on the Denver Nuggets (21-15) at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The game is set for tip-off at 9:00 PM ET, with Brooklyn hoping to snap their ongoing struggles and Denver aiming to extend their win streak.
The two teams meet for the second time this season after a thrilling October matchup, where the Nuggets outlasted the Nets in a 144-139 overtime victory. Denver has had Brooklyn’s number recently, winning four straight against the Nets. Can Brooklyn respond and break the losing streak?
Brooklyn Nets: Can They Find Consistency Amid Struggles?
The Brooklyn Nets are currently battling their worst stretch of the season. They enter this contest having lost 11 of their last 14 games, including a disappointing 113-98 defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. In that loss, Brooklyn struggled mightily with shooting, connecting on just 38.4% of their attempts from the field.
While Noah Clowney’s 29 points and Tyrese Martin’s double-double provided some bright spots, the absence of key players like D’Angelo Russell, Ben Simmons, and Cameron Johnson left the Nets severely shorthanded. All three players are listed as questionable for Friday’s game, adding further uncertainty to the team’s outlook.
The Nets’ offensive struggles have been evident all season. They rank tied for 24th in points per 100 possessions (110.0) and play at the third-slowest pace in the league (96.9 possessions per 48 minutes). On defense, they allow 116.4 points per game, also tied for 24th in the league, and have struggled to defend both the perimeter and interior, ranking 29th in two-point defense and 28th in three-point defense.
Denver Nuggets: Riding High, But Missing Key Stars
The Denver Nuggets enter Friday’s game on a solid run, having gone 5-2 straight-up and against the spread over their last seven games. The Nuggets recently dispatched the Los Angeles Clippers 126-103, with Jamal Murray leading the way with 21 points and nine assists. Denver’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, shooting 55.1% from the field and 48.6% from beyond the arc in that victory.
Despite a strong team effort, the Nuggets have been without their two main stars in Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. Jokic, who has been sidelined with an illness, is expected to be back for this game, while Gordon, out since December 25 due to a calf injury, remains questionable. Jokic’s return will be pivotal for the Nuggets, as he continues to dominate with averages of 24.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game.
Denver ranks 4th in adjusted offensive efficiency (118.0 points per 100 possessions) and sits 19th in adjusted defensive efficiency (114.5 points allowed per 100 possessions). While their offense has been explosive, their defense remains a concern, particularly against a Brooklyn team capable of putting up points in high-scoring affairs.
Conclusion
This matchup heavily favors the Nuggets, who have been playing strong basketball even with injuries to key players. Brooklyn’s struggles, especially on defense and offense, will make this an uphill battle. With Denver at full strength and the Nets dealing with significant injury concerns, expect the Nuggets to claim their fifth consecutive victory over Brooklyn.
