Golden State (25 - 44)

Expert Pick
0% ><···················· 100%

Denver (38 - 28)

Key Game for Western Hopefuls


Week 17 is upon us. The home stretch. Now is when we are going to see teams try and push to that end point or try and bottom out. The NBA injury rotation of resting guys has kicked in and we’re all just hoping for bodies for the final weeks! The Nuggets here will face the Warriors who are doing everything in their power to make that final Play In spot, even if it’s still 5 games out of their reach. While the Nuggets sit in a spot where wins mean they could finish with a Home Court round 1, while losses could mean they won’t even have a home court Play in! The Warriors: The Warriors got a big boost in the offseason when GM Dazman decided he’d take over the sinking ship and try and right it. He’s moved mountains already, even if the roster still reads as a dire scenario for the most part. Jordan Poole is nobodies favourite player, but we all knew he can rip it up in 2k and rip it up is what he is doing to really give them some much needed offensive pep. Put that with a Bonafide big man in Hartenstein whom they got for free in free agency and you have the true makings of an NSL post season team, and they’re playing like they want it, too. Simmons has been disappointing, but still solid off the bench, and his expiring contract will give them a plethora of offseason flexibility while also the chance to bring him back on the cheap, where his current output is much more desired on a below MLE deal rather than as the highest paid player on the team. They actually have some picks coming up in this draft, and they have some young names, and some nice engine players to build around, so if they fall short on their attempt to make a play in and then get to the playoffs, they might just be pushing for that spot as soon as next year…which would have been unheard of 6 months ago. The Nuggets are a good gauge here as these are the teams they might expect to face if they even luck into making it, so a win is a must! The Nuggets: Denver has quietly gone about their business this year like they do most years. They signed their targets in FA, keeping Klay and bringing in the old head CP3, while relying on growth from their kids in Johnson, Christie and the freshly multi positional, Michael Porter Jnr. Collier was a high ceiling swing that hasn’t yet panned out, but might just yet, and they have been rarely hampered by the NBA situations with their stars staying on the court because they’re playoff bound or hopeful. JJ went down, which was a blow, but they have covered him, and Bones was waived, but they didn’t have a rotation spot for him anyway. The rest? It’s been rinse and repeat as they trundle out their best starting 5 each week and obviously didn’t get enough interest in Sabinis to make that swing move. They could be a 4^th spot team if everything goes well, maybe even 3^rd, but they could also be a 9^th spot team. They’re going to hope to avoid that Play In, cause no wants to risk being bumped! A Warriors win would seem to be a good start, but they won’t be handed it. The Projected Match-Ups: C: Isaiah Hartenstein Vs Nick Richards Hartenstein was a devastating loss for the Blazers when he priced himself out of their reach, which meant they couldn’t trade him, and he’s been a beast in the Bay Arena. 11 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks to anchor the team and disrupt the other teams offense when not blocking shots. He’s developed supremely. He gets Nick Richards in this one who as a starter has averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks as their anchor, allowing Sabonis to play the PF spot. He’s not as impactful as Hart, but he’s every bit as important as that role playing big man down low. PF: Jalen Smith Vs Michael Porter Jnr. Smith has started every game he has played for the Warriors and averaged 8 points, 7 rebounds and a bock, playing his role as the athletic guy protecting the rim and filling space. He spaces the floor also, which has been important. He won’t have to worry about Sabonis this week, instead having to play the perimeter a bit more with MPJ lining up at the 4. This could be a bad thing since he’s not great on perimeter defence. MPJ has only started 8 games at PF this year but in those he’s been better than at SF and averaged 22 points a game with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. He won’t bother the defensive stats much, but then he won’t need to worry matched up on Smith and he has the size advantage there too. SF: Joe Ingles Vs Klay Thompson Like Smith, Ingles has started every game he has played for the Warriors. He’s another of the defensive role players who can make a shot, designed at funnelling the ball into Poole and Simmons hands at every opportunity. Any shot Joe passes up or doesn’t get, is the goal. Yet he has averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in a Warriors jersey which is solid. He’ll try and slow Klay Thompson in this one though, and he’ll have his work cut out, even though in Klay’s 4 SF starts this year he’s only averaged 11 points compared to 19 at the SG spot. Klay can catch fire and works tirelessly to get looks, so making sure you keep him to that 11 on the night would be a win. SG: Ben Simmons Vs Donovan Mitchell Simmons is back starting for now and in 8 games starting at the 2, he’s averaged 15 points with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal and his size is a big bother to opposing offensive players, like Mitchell. He’s been arguably better in his bench SG role, but his defensive impact is hard to gauge. Mitchell is the key point of attack for the Nuggets and Simmons slowing him will be important. As a starting SG he’s been better than lined up at the PG spot, and averaged 29 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, really enjoying being off the ball a bit. Simmons size will always be a bother to the 6’3 Mitchell, but will it be enough to sway this game? PG: Jordan Poole Vs Chris Paul Poole has been a picture of consistency in Golden State and 33 points a game is probably a career high with 3 rebounds and 4 assists also. He’s a decent size for that PG position and he’s been on an absolute tear the last 4 weeks as the Warriors make that unlikely push. Look for him to put up big numbers again this week, even though CP3 is no slouch on the defensive end. In 36 starts this year, Paul has averaged 16 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists with a steal and despite his small size, he’s still a strong defensive presence. He’s not going to have the overall impact that Poole will, but if he can cause even a few missed shots, that will help them in the long run. Bench V Bench: Nicolas Batum, Trendon Watford, Justin Minaya, Tony Bradley, Patrick Mills Vs Max Christie, Neemias Queta, Isaiah Collier, Patrick Baldwin Jr, Seth Curry Both The Both benches aren’t the strongest going round but both are rounded nicely. Both have a big defensive presence and some veteran feel to them. Christie is probably the most potent offensive guy amongst them all though, as the Warriors are more the fill time and get stops kind of bench.

Week 17 is upon us. The home stretch. Now is when we are going to see teams try and push to that end point or try and bottom out. The NBA injury rotation of resting guys has kicked in and we’re all just hoping for bodies for the final weeks! The Nuggets here will face the Warriors who are doing everything in their power to make that final Play In spot, even if it’s still 5 games out of their reach. While the Nuggets sit in a spot where wins mean they could finish with a Home Court round 1, while losses could mean they won’t even have a home court Play in!

The Warriors:

The Warriors got a big boost in the offseason when GM Dazman decided he’d take over the sinking ship and try and right it. He’s moved mountains already, even if the roster still reads as a dire scenario for the most part. Jordan Poole is nobodies favourite player, but we all knew he can rip it up in 2k and rip it up is what he is doing to really give them some much needed offensive pep. Put that with a Bonafide big man in Hartenstein whom they got for free in free agency and you have the true makings of an NSL post season team, and they’re playing like they want it, too. Simmons has been disappointing, but still solid off the bench, and his expiring contract will give them a plethora of offseason flexibility while also the chance to bring him back on the cheap, where his current output is much more desired on a below MLE deal rather than as the highest paid player on the team. They actually have some picks coming up in this draft, and they have some young names, and some nice engine players to build around, so if they fall short on their attempt to make a play in and then get to the playoffs, they might just be pushing for that spot as soon as next year…which would have been unheard of 6 months ago. The Nuggets are a good gauge here as these are the teams they might expect to face if they even luck into making it, so a win is a must!

The Nuggets:

Denver has quietly gone about their business this year like they do most years. They signed their targets in FA, keeping Klay and bringing in the old head CP3, while relying on growth from their kids in Johnson, Christie and the freshly multi positional, Michael Porter Jnr. Collier was a high ceiling swing that hasn’t yet panned out, but might just yet, and they have been rarely hampered by the NBA situations with their stars staying on the court because they’re playoff bound or hopeful. JJ went down, which was a blow, but they have covered him, and Bones was waived, but they didn’t have a rotation spot for him anyway. The rest? It’s been rinse and repeat as they trundle out their best starting 5 each week and obviously didn’t get enough interest in Sabinis to make that swing move. They could be a 4^th spot team if everything goes well, maybe even 3^rd, but they could also be a 9^th spot team. They’re going to hope to avoid that Play In, cause no wants to risk being bumped! A Warriors win would seem to be a good start, but they won’t be handed it.

The Projected Match-Ups:

C: Isaiah Hartenstein Vs Nick Richards

Hartenstein was a devastating loss for the Blazers when he priced himself out of their reach, which meant they couldn’t trade him, and he’s been a beast in the Bay Arena. 11 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks to anchor the team and disrupt the other teams offense when not blocking shots. He’s developed supremely. He gets Nick Richards in this one who as a starter has averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks as their anchor, allowing Sabonis to play the PF spot. He’s not as impactful as Hart, but he’s every bit as important as that role playing big man down low.

PF: Jalen Smith Vs Michael Porter Jnr.

Smith has started every game he has played for the Warriors and averaged 8 points, 7 rebounds and a bock, playing his role as the athletic guy protecting the rim and filling space. He spaces the floor also, which has been important. He won’t have to worry about Sabonis this week, instead having to play the perimeter a bit more with MPJ lining up at the 4. This could be a bad thing since he’s not great on perimeter defence. MPJ has only started 8 games at PF this year but in those he’s been better than at SF and averaged 22 points a game with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. He won’t bother the defensive stats much, but then he won’t need to worry matched up on Smith and he has the size advantage there too.

SF: Joe Ingles Vs Klay Thompson

Like Smith, Ingles has started every game he has played for the Warriors. He’s another of the defensive role players who can make a shot, designed at funnelling the ball into Poole and Simmons hands at every opportunity. Any shot Joe passes up or doesn’t get, is the goal. Yet he has averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in a Warriors jersey which is solid. He’ll try and slow Klay Thompson in this one though, and he’ll have his work cut out, even though in Klay’s 4 SF starts this year he’s only averaged 11 points compared to 19 at the SG spot. Klay can catch fire and works tirelessly to get looks, so making sure you keep him to that 11 on the night would be a win.

SG: Ben Simmons Vs Donovan Mitchell

Simmons is back starting for now and in 8 games starting at the 2, he’s averaged 15 points with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal and his size is a big bother to opposing offensive players, like Mitchell. He’s been arguably better in his bench SG role, but his defensive impact is hard to gauge. Mitchell is the key point of attack for the Nuggets and Simmons slowing him will be important. As a starting SG he’s been better than lined up at the PG spot, and averaged 29 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, really enjoying being off the ball a bit. Simmons size will always be a bother to the 6’3 Mitchell, but will it be enough to sway this game?

PG: Jordan Poole Vs Chris Paul

Poole has been a picture of consistency in Golden State and 33 points a game is probably a career high with 3 rebounds and 4 assists also. He’s a decent size for that PG position and he’s been on an absolute tear the last 4 weeks as the Warriors make that unlikely push. Look for him to put up big numbers again this week, even though CP3 is no slouch on the defensive end. In 36 starts this year, Paul has averaged 16 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists with a steal and despite his small size, he’s still a strong defensive presence. He’s not going to have the overall impact that Poole will, but if he can cause even a few missed shots, that will help them in the long run.

Bench V Bench:

Nicolas Batum, Trendon Watford, Justin Minaya, Tony Bradley, Patrick Mills
Vs
Max Christie, Neemias Queta, Isaiah Collier, Patrick Baldwin Jr, Seth Curry

Both The Both benches aren’t the strongest going round but both are rounded nicely. Both have a big defensive presence and some veteran feel to them. Christie is probably the most potent offensive guy amongst them all though, as the Warriors are more the fill time and get stops kind of bench.

Warriors Star

Jordan Poole
Poole has been the star for the Warriors since coming over. It was a smart move by Daz, one that even this writer tried to manufacture a number of times through the offseason, and he’s exploded to be their most important player and star of the season. They’re riding him all they can on the offensive end and he’s been able to carry their weight!

PPG 28.9

RPG 2.7

APG 3.3

SPG 0.7

BPG 0.4

FPG 2.0

TPG 1.3

PPG 27.2

RPG 3.6

APG 4.1

SPG 0.9

BPG 0.3

FPG 2.2

TPG 1.2

Nuggets Star

Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell is the clear star in Denver with the most impact the most needed impact also. 27 points a game on the year which is well above everyone else, and they have luckily also had him available for nearly every game thus far, too. That’s the key to winning. Best players, playing.

X-Factor
- The XFactor in this one is which teams size will win? The Warriors have been outrebounded by their opponent on the season, while the Nuggets win the rebounding battles, but that’s including many games with Hartenstein. With him, that difference is surely negated and size all over the court for the Warriors might just prove too much. However, if Poole isn’t on, then the size might not matter as their avenues to a big score are severely hampered when he is off.

X-Factor

- The XFactor in this one is which teams size will win? The Warriors have been outrebounded by their opponent on the season, while the Nuggets win the rebounding battles, but that’s including many games with Hartenstein. With him, that difference is surely negated and size all over the court for the Warriors might just prove too much. However, if Poole isn’t on, then the size might not matter as their avenues to a big score are severely hampered when he is off.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Jalen Johnson (Leg/Shoulder) - 38 NBA Games missed this season Domantas Sabonis (Back/Illness/Hamstring/Ankle) - 12 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Brandon Clarke (Toe/Knee/Back) - 8 NBA Games missed this season Malik Monk (Ankle/Groin/Toe/Illness) - 14 NBA Games missed this season Dante Exum (Wrist/Achilles/Foot/Hand) - 56 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Ben Simmons (returning from Injury Management/Back/Calf/Illness/Personal/Knee) - 25 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
Head to Head Prediction: The Warriors are going to throw everything they have at this one but it might just be a little too much to ask. The Nuggets have size and a nicely rounded offensive attack while the Warriors are all about 1 man on offence and may not be able to slow all the Nuggets weapons enough together. Nuggets by 8.

Prediction

Head to Head Prediction:

The Warriors are going to throw everything they have at this one but it might just be a little too much to ask. The Nuggets have size and a nicely rounded offensive attack while the Warriors are all about 1 man on offence and may not be able to slow all the Nuggets weapons enough together.

Nuggets by 8.

		Comments (1)
dazman 03/31 11:23 pm	Excellent write up, love the heavy analytical approach. Good luck Digga!

	MEM	105
	DEN	112

	MIL	116
	IND	93

	GS	114
	DAL	108

	BKN	94
	CHI	105

	CLE	114
	LAC	108