Matt Moore here, the host of the daily Locked On Nuggets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nuggets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nuggets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Speed Kills: Nuggets Upset Thunder
Nov 6, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images|Ron Chenoy/Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The 10-piece gives you the ten things you need to know from the Nuggets’ 82 games this season.
1. BEST WIN OF THE SEASON: The list is small but this was a massive win. Without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, Denver took down the previously undefeated best team in the league, proving to everyone that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the West.
2. Speed Kills: We’ll talk about Joker and Russ and the kiddos and THAT BLOCK, GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY, but this game was first and foremost about pace. Denver had nine fastbreak points in the first half. They had 11 in the 3rd quarter when they erased the 16-point deficit OKC had built. Denver’s kids (Peyton Watson, Christian Braun, and Julian Strawther) caused chaos by running the ball off every miss and turnover. The result wasn’t just easy points for Denver, but speeding up OKC’s methodical and surgical offense, getting them off-kilter.
3. Tempo, Tempo, Tempo: After the game, Michael Malone said that his emphasis was to run at the half, urging his team to avoid trying to score in the halfcourt on OKC’s No.1 defense. Nikola Jokic told reporters in the locker room that different games call for different things but that Denver needs to run, especially at home, vs. OKC.
4. Sweet Revenge: Peyton Watson said after the game that he thinks about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winner over him last season “bi-weekly.” He said he’s not waiting until the playoffs to go hard, he wants to do that every night. (You can hear Russell Westbrook speaking through the youngster.) Watson had to lift to the rafters to get a hand on SGA’s attempted game-winner Wednesday. Lucky for Watson, he’s got the hops to do just that.
5. Certified Shooter: I’m willing to go ahead and certify the results of the election of Christian Braun as a certified shooter. Braun scored a season-high 24 and 4-of-8 from 3. He’s now averaging 56-45-81 shooting splits on the season. He’s been Denver’s second-best player this season, a massive win for Denver’s gamble on him last summer.
6. Quote Of The Night: Russell Westbrook had both, first saying of Michael Malone and his competitive nature, “We’re both a little psycho. That’s why we got along from the get-go.” Westbrook also spoke on how important it is for him to go hard every night. “Sometimes you take those Tuesday, Wednesday games during the season for granted. But tomorrow’s never promised to no one.”
7. Elite Fill-In: Westbrook finished with 29 points, six boards, six assists. He was also 10-of-15 from the field and 3-of-4 from deep. That the Nuggets got that production from Westbrook and he wound up a -14 is either a credit to OKC, a sign of the perils of single-game plus-minus, or a signal that the Nuggets are better off attacking in waves offensively than with a heavy hammer.
8. Numbers Lie: I will continue to shout to the heavens that judging Jokic’s games by his box score is a fool’s errand. Jokic had 23 points on 20 shots, five turnovers, 20 rebounds, and 16 assists. But his impact on the game was felt in his relentless attack, not his precision for a night. If Westbrook was the hammer that couldn’t crack the shield, Jokic shattered OKC’s despite another tough defensive game from Chet Holmgren.
9. Resilient: That was the word Russell Westbrook used for Peyton Watson who had some mistakes in this one as you’d expect. But recovering from those mistakes and playing through them is huge. A source said after the game that developing young talent and winning is one of the hardest things to do in the league, and that’s what made Wednesday’s win so great.
10. Up Next: Denver takes on the reeling Miami Heat Friday in a 2023 Finals rematch. Jimmy Butler will probably not shoot a game-winning three.
We’re about 10% of the way through the season, which means we’ve seen enough of the rookie class to make iron-clad judgments on them that will never change. First impression, last impression.
Kidding, of course; sample sizes are still small, and both we and the debutants themselves are learning a ton. Watching this class take their first baby-giraffe steps in the league has been a blast, so I’ve selected four rookies worth discussing.
1) Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey’s performance has been predictably up-and-down. On the one hand, he’s started to figure out how to defend without fouling. After infamously fouling out in just 15 minutes in his NBA debut, Edey hasn’t accrued more than three infractions in any of his last six games (although he did pick up three in just 15 minutes last night). Opponents are shooting just 55.6% against him at the rim, a better number than Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert, and they take fewer attempts at the rim when he’s on the court. There’s a slight deterrence factor already at play.
Edey had a game where he went 11-for-12 from the field, but most of his damage has been done on putbacks and dump-offs. He has only generated 13 points on his 21 post-up possessions, a terrible mark, and his beloved hook shot has abandoned him.
Most peculiarly, a man I predicted might lead the league in screen assists has not been nearly as impactful a screener as I expected. Part of that is the Grizzlies leaning a bit away from the pick-and-roll-centric attack they’ve heavily featured in the past, and part is on some junior-high-school-level chemistry with Ja Morant (see here, where Edey whiffs on the screen and then can’t get to the lob quick enough). That said, he’s already mastered the rolling Gortat screen, a key tool for creating space for Morant. Now, he just needs more reps.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Personnel Owen Phillips of The F5 examines whether a coach can translate their styles between different teams. For example, what trends and principles has Kenny Atkinson instilled in the Cavaliers that we first saw in his Nets tenure?
Analysis ESPN’s Kevin Pelton looks at some early trends, such as the impact Jeremy Sochan’s injury might have on Victor Wembanyama’s offense, the Thunder defense, and more.
Must Read Joseph Casciaro and Joe Wolfond of theScore have 10 observations on the young season, including a look at the Bulls’ blistering pace, KAT’s defensive issues, and much more.
Replay Nuggets narrowly defeat Thunder 124-122 in a thrilling match, showcasing remarkable late-game resilience. Learn more. (Denver Stiffs)
Replay Russell Westbrook’s standout performance against the Nuggets goes viral, highlighting his influence on the game. Explore further. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Zaccharie Risacher’s Big Night Brings Fantasy Basketball Questions
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots over New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
In the world of fantasy basketball, player performances can fluctuate wildly, and Wednesday’s games were no exception. While Zach Edey had previously dazzled fans with a standout performance against the Nets, his recent outing was less than stellar. Facing tougher competition, Edey managed just eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes. This game served as a reminder that while Edey has potential, consistency is key, and fantasy managers should be cautious about overcommitting to him based on a single strong performance.
On the flip side, Zaccharie Risacher delivered a performance that turned heads and could have significant fantasy implications. Starting for the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher exploded for 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. His shooting was on point, and he contributed across multiple categories, making him a hot commodity in fantasy leagues. With De’Andre Hunter still sidelined, Risacher’s role in the starting lineup seems secure for now, and his ability to fill the stat sheet makes him a valuable asset.
Risacher’s breakout game highlights the importance of monitoring player roles and opportunities. While his previous performances were inconsistent, this game showcased his potential when given the chance. Fantasy managers should consider adding Risacher, especially if he continues to see significant minutes and usage.
As always, staying updated on player performances and team dynamics is crucial for fantasy success. Keep an eye on how these players develop in the coming games, and adjust your fantasy strategies accordingly. For more insights and analysis, be sure to follow the latest episodes of the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nuggets podcasts.
Can Nuggets Stand Together Without AG? Matt and Ryan go over the big picture of Aaron Gordon’s injury, discuss the next few weeks of Nuggets basketball, and preview tonight’s game against OKC.
Aaron Gordon is OUT For Multiple Weeks Who will step up for the Denver Nuggets in light of Aaron Gordon’s injury? Will the Nuggets be able to sustain over the course of his absence?
Youth In Revolt: Denver’s Youngsters Help Nuggets Survive Raptor Attack (Again) Christian Braun is a STUD. Peyton Watson is a DAWG. Julian Strawther is ELECTRIC. And Denver’s young guys stepped up and helped Nikola Jokic get a win over the Raptors to extend the winning streak to two and move over .500 for the first time this season. Matt Moore breaks it down and talks about Zeke Nnaji’s uneven night, the good Russ night, and how a bad Joker night is still so good.
