The Detroit Pistons welcome the Denver Nuggets to Little Caesars Arena for the first time ever. The Detroit Pistons need to regroup and give Denver a rough welcome, as they’re looking to break a 6 game losing streak. The Detroit Pistons have come off the toughest part of their schedule for the season and are looking to turn things around with a win.
The Denver Nuggets will be without Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap, which opens the door for the Detroit Pistons big men to take control of the game and really set themselves up for the win. Drummond is looking to bounce back from a poor offensive output against the Boston Celtics where he was well contained and double teamed frequently.
#Nuggets announce standout Center Nikola Jokic (sprained left ankle) will miss his sixth consecutive game tomorrow at Detroit. Denver is 2-3 without him in the lineup, including 1-3 on this six-game road trip.
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) December 11, 2017
Story on Denver's Paul Millsap expected to be sidelined 2-to-3 months with surgery on injured wrist: https://t.co/m8BH7yDSku
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2017
Piston Powered Keys to the Game
Detroit Pistons Big Men
With both Jokic and Millsap missing, the Denver Nuggets will be expected to start Trey Lyles and Mason Plumlee. This gives a definitive advantage to both Detroit Centre Andre Drummond, and Power Forward Tobias Harris. If they can establish themselves early and go at the Denver bigs, Detroit can set them up early.
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Containing Jamal Murray
Avery Bradley looks to have his hands full again this game with Jamal Murray. Over his last 8 games Murray is averaging almost 18 points per game. With both Jokic and Millsap out, Murray looks likely to get a lot more shots and a higher usage rate than usual. He is a capable shooter but can also score in other ways, if Avery Bradley can contain him the Detroit Pistons will be in with a shot.
Defending the Paint
The Denver Nuggets score 45.2 percent of their total points in the paint, which is third in the league. If the Detroit Pistons are able to contain the main scoring option and defend the paint effectively then they should be able to slow the Denver Nuggets scoring significantly.