Sacramento Kings vs. Denver Nuggets: A Preview with Nugg Love
The Sacramento Kings head to Denver to take on the Nuggets tonight in the Pepsi Center. Can Sacramento earn another road win?
The Sacramento Kings (1-1) travel to Denver, where the Nuggets (0-1) are in search of their first victory after falling to the Jazz 106-96 in their season-opening game. Sacramento is coming off a 93-88 victory last night on the road against the Dallas Mavericks.
We got together with Nugg Love, FanSided’s Denver Nuggets delegation, to preview this game. Shout out to them!
Q. How do you expect the Nuggets to bounce back after their opening loss to the Jazz?
Nugg Love: “I expect them to bounce back by playing better defense and staying aggressive the whole game.”
After the Kings blew a 71-60 lead early on in the 4th quarter of their game with Dallas, expect the Kings to stay aggressive as well.
Sacramento can’t afford to blow leads and get into close games every time out. They especially can’t afford to squander double-digit leads.
Q. Will Barton was huge off the bench with 23 points. Do you expect him or any other bench player to produce at a high level today?
Nugg Love: “Something tells me Mason Plumlee might be a revelation this game and surprise people. Barton will probably go back down to earth since he is hot and cold.”
In 16 minutes against the Jazz,Plumlee scored six points and grabbed two rebounds on 3-5 shooting.
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For the Kings, expect De’Aaron Fox to have another key outing off the bench today. Last night against the Dallas Mavericks, Fox put up nine points, six rebounds and 10 assists.
Q. Jokic shot 30 percent from the field, but had seven points, eight assists and 12 rebounds. How does he fare tonight, mainly against Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos?
Nugg Love: “He should have a better scoring night while getting his assist and rebounding numbers. However, Cauley-Stein will give him fits since Jokic struggles with physical bigs.”
This is a huge test for Cauley-Stein. He has posted a double-double in both games this season but if he can get another against Jokic, fans will likely be extremely happy.
Q. What Kings player will give the Nuggets the hardest time?
Nugg Love: “I’m going with Cauley-Stein. He is physical and people forget he had a great game against the Nuggets after the Cousins trade last year. Not to mention, Jokic struggles defensively, as alluded to already.”
Expect Fox to continue producing solid numbers off the bench. His speed should give the Nuggets defense fits as he looks to post his first career double-double.
Q. Predictions! Who wins? Who leads the game in scoring? Assists? Rebounds?
Nugg Love: “Of course I’m going with my Nuggets to win. But, I think it will be a close game with a final score of 101-96. Jokic will lead the game in assists (8) with Gary Harris leading in scoring (20) and Paul Millsap in rebounding (9).”
As for the Kings, we say they earn another road victory with a final score of 95-89. Willie Cauley-Stein will come alive in a big way, like last year, and will lead the team in both scoring and rebounding, with a final stat line of 25 points and 11 rebounds.
Also, we anticipate that De’Aaron Fox leads the team with another 10 assists for Sacramento.
The Kings-Nuggets game tips off at 6:00 PM PST. Tune in!