Toronto Raptors: bounceback needed using 3 keys to W over Denver Nuggets

The Toronto Raptors have a chance to avenge a close loss to Denver, and return home with an excellent road trip to brag about. The Nuggets might have something to say about those plans.

The Toronto Raptors tried everything imaginable to overcome an early deficit against the Portland Trail Blazers, but couldn’t get it done. If they want to avoid another losing skid, they must defeat a strong Nuggets team. There are easier tasks.

The memory of a recent loss in Toronto to Denver will plague our team, but they must find a way to set it aside. A pro athlete needs a short memory.

The Nuggets could be (choose one): a wildly inconsistent team, further proof of the NBA’s balance, or a third possibility, which we’ll get to. After beating our guys, they defeated Orlando in OT, then dropped the final pair of games on their nasty road trip…to Charlotte and Atlanta.

Since returning to the Mile-High City, they have suffocated Memphis and Oklahoma City, holding them both below a century.

In fairness, given their lengthy injury list, a 19-9 record indicates a Nuggets squad of considerable grit, and a coach able to roll with the punches. The Raptors won’t be facing Paul Millsap, Gary Harris, Will Barton or Isaiah Thomas, and some of Denver’s lesser lights are also on the shelf.

The Raptors will be facing as tall a lineup as they have seen all year. Mason Plumlee, Nikola Jokic‘s frontcourt partner, is plenty big enough to play center. Juancho Hernangomez will have a height advantage when he takes on Kawhi Leonard at the 3-spot.

Jokic may remind some of the Pillsbury Dough Boy, but don’t let that fool you. He’s as smart and talented a center as Europe has ever produced. Jokic is the only player other than the Greek Freak and King James whom you wouldn’t be surprised to see leading his team in every major statistical category.

Jamal Murray will man the point, and Torrey Craig is the off-guard. He’s probably third or fourth on their depth chart, and is out there because he’s healthy. He’s another big one for his position, and is a decent defender. On offense, he can be ignored.

The Denver bench has risen to the challenge of being shorthanded. Coach Michael Malone must be pleased with the results he’s getting from Trey Lyles, Monte Morris and Malik Beasley in particular.

3 keys to Raptors victory

1. Play Murray loose until he shows he’s hitting deep shots. Jamal’s calling card is his 3-point shooting accuracy – or it was until this season, in which he’s at 29.5%. If he’s off, Denver’s offensive options, which aren’t numerous anyway, dwindle precipitously. The Nuggets have averaged 105 points in their past four games, which they’ve been fortunate to split. They need him making shots.
2. …and the same applies to Jokic. He’s the most dangerous passing center in the game and, yes, I’m including Marc Gasol. I’d rather find out if The Joker’s mid-range jumper is working than be victimized by cutters receiving perfect dishes from this guy. Serge Ibaka should expect help from Craig’s man in order to create a double-team.
3. Show them some different looks on D. Injuries have robbed the Nuggets’ offense of the chemistry needed to create buckets consistently. Playing a zone on occasion, or bouncing between switch-all and going under picks might confuse them further.
4. BONUS key. Nick Nurse, don’t leave players out there for too long. Thin air makes the Pepsi Center an enervating nightmare for visiting teams.

Prediction

After a disappointing loss at home to this team, the Raptors shouldn’t need any motivation. Our team shot 26.8% from deep that night, and can surely improve on that. Let’s assume so.

Toronto Raptors 117 – Denver Nuggets 110

UPDATE – There are reports the Raptors will be missing Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet is doubtful. With such an emaciated lineup, my Prediction cannot be held against me.