Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets 2019-20 preview

The Denver Nuggets have evolved into a championship-caliber contender while the Detroit Pistons hope to contend in the East. Here’s how they stack up.

The Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons were both playoff teams last year and have designs on contending in their respective conferences.

This is sure to be an exciting crossover of matchups between a top team in the Western Conference and a team trying to become a top team in the Eastern Conference. Denver is expected to hold its own against the West’s elite tier of teams. The Pistons are looking to improve on a 41-41 season that netted them the eighth seed and a first-round sweep by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Last year the two teams split the season series in very different games. The first, a 129-103 Pistons win, was an offensive shootout where both teams were scoring at will. The second was a 95-92 Nuggets win in the Mile High City.

In the first meeting, the Pistons shot an electric 54.5 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from 3-point range. Seven players reached double figures, led by 27-point, 12-rebound performance. Stanley Johnson scored 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting off the bench. Langston Galloway added 18 points. Blake Griffin was an efficient 6-for-8, scoring 17 points.

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Jamal Murray and Gary Harris were inactive for this contest and Paul Millsap did not dress. Denver had all five starters in double figures, including Flint native Monte Morris scoring 18 points in a homecoming game. Trey Lyles scored 20 points off the bench. Both were 8-for-13 from the floor.

Of note, the Nuggets were held to 32.9 percent shooting from 3-point range and were 12-for-22 from the free throw line.

Denver had its best ready to go for the return trip. Murray led the way with 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting to lead all scorers. Nikola Jokic has a strong 23-point, 15-rebound performance but used 24 shots to get there. It was a strong defensive showing, holding the Nuggets to 42.5 percent from the field and 27.5 percent from 3-point range.

Conversely, Detroit’s Blake Griffin dropped 29 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished five assists but was 12-for-32 from the field. Reggie Jackson scored 17 points and Drummond had a 13-point, 17-rebound performance despite shooting 33.3 percent. As a team, the Pistons shot 35.3 percent from the field.

Here’s a look at the Nuggets’ roster changes this offseason.