Two teams fighting for playoff contention collided as the injury-riddled Denver Nuggets traveled to the Palace to take on the underachieving Detroit Pistons.
PREVIEW
Detroit – At 20-29 and currently 9th place in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons’ season has not gone according to plan. After acquiring PG Brandon Jennings in a deal with Milwaukee and signing PF Josh Smith to a four-year, $54 million contract, expectations were high for the Pistons and new head coach Maurice Cheeks. However, the frontcourt trio of Smith, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond has failed to produce results on the floor. Moreover, the Pistons are 24th in the NBA in points allowed (102.7) while ranking just 16th in points per game (100.1). Ultimately, the Pistons’ poor perimeter defensive play and inability to spread the floor have them nine games under .500 and desperate for answers. Coming off last night’s 111-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, Detroit looks to keep the positive momentum going tonight.
Denver – In a tough Western Conference, the Nuggets have been treading water thus far. At 24-24, the Nuggets and first-year head coach Brian Shaw are 10th in the West. When healthy, the Nuggets have proven to be one of the toughest teams to contest, as their ability to run in transition has driven opponents insane. Health has been an issue, though. Recently, guard Nate Robinson underwent ACL surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. The injury has been one of many for the Nuggets, who are also without Danilo Gallinari, Andre Miller, and JaVale McGee. The Nuggets look to use their speed and athleticism to bounce back tonight after being dominated by the New York Knicks last night 117-90.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Detroit – Andre Drummond – The 20-year-old big man, fresh off his BBVA Rising Stars Challenge selection, is averaging 12.9 PPG and 13.0 RPG for Detroit this season.
Denver – Ty Lawson – The young guard from North Carolina will look to take advantage of Detroit’s poor perimeter and transition defense.
GAME NOTES
1st Quarter – The Nuggets started off hot, hitting five of their first six shots, including two three-pointers from forward Wilson Chandler. After taking a timeout the Pistons got going inside, but were still unable to compete on the perimeter. With 2:36 remaining in the quarter the Pistons were shooting just 34% from the field and 0-3 from beyond the arc, whereas Denver was shooting 58% from the floor and 62% from three. The Pistons would turn up their defense however, as their pressure on the basketball led to numerous transition baskets for Jennings and guard Rodney Stuckey. Their late burst in the quarter was enough to give them a 30-29 lead heading into the second. Josh Smith led the Pistons with nine points, while Chandler led the Nuggets with nine.
2nd Quarter – Smith continued his scoring into the second quarter, hitting two perimeter jumpers. However, the Nuggets matched the Pistons basket for basket and the two teams went back-and-forth for much of the quarter. With 7:39 to play in the half, Denver led Detroit 44-38. The game remained tight through the remainder of the second quarter, but Detroit would retake the lead after Brandon Jennings caught fire, hitting three consecutive three-pointers. At halftime, Detroit led Denver 65-61. Smith led all scorers with 19 points, while Drummond chipped in with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jennings also had 17 at the half. The Nuggets had three players in double digits including Chandler, who led the way with 12 points.
HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS
Denver – Limit turnovers – The Nuggets committed nine turnovers in the first half, leading to multiple fastbreak points for Detroit.
Detroit – Continue efficient shooting – The Pistons are shooting uncharacteristically well from the field after struggling in the first quarter.
3rd Quarter – The Nuggets began the third quarter without Ty Lawson and struggled to maintain their defense early in the quarter. However, Chandler continued his hot shooting from the perimeter. In a game where both teams seemed to be playing the other team’s style, Denver won the rebounding battle through three quarters, while Detroit had the edge in fastbreak points. Without their starting point guard, though, Denver was unable to keep up with the high tempo of Detroit. Jennings continued to be lights out from beyond the arc and the former Bucks star ended the quarter with 27 points and 11 assists. Guard Randy Foye came up huge for Denver in Lawson’s absence and the former Villanova stud finished with 23 points through three. Center JJ Hickson collected another double-double for Denver, as the big man ended the third with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
4th Quarter – The Nuggets opened up the fourth firing on all cylinders, bringing the Pistons lead down to 9 with 8:12 to play. One of the Pistons’ biggest problems this season has been preserving leads late in games, but Denver continued to turn the basketball over time and time again, making it much easier on the Pistons. Ultimately, Denver was unable to contain the basketball whatsoever. Detroit winded up the victory by a final score of 126-109. Jennings led all scorers with 35 points with 12 assists. Smith added 30 points and Drummond contributed 18 points and 15 rebounds. Foye led Denver with 25 points and Chandler scored 20 points on 6-10 shooting from beyond the arc.
SUMMARY
Denver started off fast, but the Nuggets were unable to control themselves down the stretch, committing a total of 20 turnovers. Losing Lawson in the second half took away the Nuggets’ biggest transition threat and Detroit capitalized. Denver won the rebounding battle 47-40, but Detroit was able to find their tempo tonight, shooting efficiently from the field while getting plenty of opportunities in the paint. Now winners of two straight games, Detroit will look to bring themselves closer to a playoff seed on Monday when they face the San Antonio Spurs. The Nuggets will travel to Indiana Monday and face the Pacers, who are currently the number one team in the East.
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