Developing Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors
By Graeme Klayh
After a raging come-back win at the Atlanta Hawks last night, the Toronto Raptors may be a little tired this evening verses the Denver Nuggets. At least other than DeMar DeRozan, Cory Joseph and Kyle Lowry, no other player played more than 26 minutes. The Nuggets are a young team with a rookie point good in Emannuel Mudiay
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All U Can Heat
Quite possibly more fun than watching Kyle Lowry and co. ball out so far this season, is watching the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks race for a worse finish. The Raptors receive the less favourable draft of the two in the 2016 draft. They are 0-1 verses these teams so far this year, where they should be able to go 5-1 from here on in.
The Nuggets are a young team with some intriguing pieces on their roster. After a strong push at the beginning of the season, they have tapered off some. Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried will continually put up big numbers for this club, but they are still figuring themselves out. They rank in the bottom 5 in both offence and defence so far as they rely heavily on Mudiay to lead them.
Dec 2, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shoots between Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) and guard Cory Joseph (6) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Raptors defeated the Hawks 96-86. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
3 keys to victory
Shake off the heavy legs
Both teams are coming off a game last night. Denver lost in Chicago and had the opportunity to rest some of their players late, while Toronto fought to the very end in Atlanta with their guards playing heavy minutes. If this games comes down to the end, it will be about who can persevere through their tired legs.
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Coax Emannuel Mudiay to shoot, shoot, shoot!
The rap on the young point guard coming into the league was that he couldn’t shoot, and while shooting 32%, they were right. Although I believe he will be a good player later, the Nuggets are letting him figure it out through experience, which is what they should. He has shown flashes so far but has not found the consistency, so if I were the Raptors bench, I’d be yelling, “shoot it!”
Start strong
The Toronto Raptors are sandwiched by the LA Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers in first quarter point per game. Getting behind in these games is a little stressing and a little exciting for the inevitable come back. The Raptors need to take this one and should hope to get their act together in the early going if they want this to be an all-business game.
Dec 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) dunks the ball during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Key Players of the game
DEN: Danilo Galinari; in wins, he shoots 50% from both the field and three land while putting up 22 points . In losses he shoots 32% and 15 points.
TOR: Terrence Ross; he got it going a bit in Atlanta and played 25 minutes. This is what Toronto needs from a second wing off the bench. In wins, he hits at least one shot, in losses he doesn’t. It’s that simple.
Prediction
The Raptors come to the arena in suits and ties and take care of their home-court.