Ryan Blackburn 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.
10-Piece: Nuggets win big vs Clippers without Nikola Jokic
Jan 8, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) and guard Julian Strawther (3) celebrate a score in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy/Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The 10-piece breaks down 10 things to know from each of the Nuggets’ 82 regular season games. Today’s edition discusses the Nuggets’ 126-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
1. Bounce back: The Nuggets have always been fairly good about avoiding a spiral. They are especially good at it on back-to-backs. The Nuggets are 2-6 on the FRONT END of back-to-backs so far this year. They are an incredible 8-0 on the second night.
2. Murray Flurry: Jamal Murray led the way with 21 points on 13 shots, dishing nine assists in the process. He hit two three-pointers in the second quarter and nearly broke out the Blue Arrow celebration. Having fun in basketball is important.
3. MPJ’s shotmaking: The first three made shots of the night for Michael Porter Jr. were incredibly difficult. A spinning mid-range jumper and two pull-up threes. All were contested, and none of it mattered. Porter had 19 points on 8-of-12 from the field.
4. Russ Working: Westbrook told Ivica Zubac and the Clippers that he was getting an offensive rebound in the first quarter on a free throw attempt. He grabbed it over Zubac, made the putback layup, and gave a primal scream in the general direction of the Clippers bench.
5. Dynamic Guard play: Murray had his effective night. Westbrook had 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Julian Strawther got in on the action with 16 efficient points off the bench. It was a good night for Denver’s guard rotation, the only players to play backcourt spots until garbage time.
6. “Go DJ, that’s my DJ": DeAndre Jordan outplayed Ivica Zubac tonight. It can happen, and it’s funny that it’s happened multiple times in the last two seasons. Jordan was fantastic, bringing great energy, defense, and dunks. The team cherishes him.
7. Dario Positivity: Seven points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal for Dario Saric in 20 minutes. The Nuggets won Saric’s minutes tonight. The Clippers backup center was either Nicolas Batum or Mo Bamba, so it’s not a big deal. Still, progress.
8. P-Swat locking down: A big reason for Saric’s success was the help given defensively by Peyton Watson. He was dynamic on that end, matching up with James Harden, Norman Powell, and Kevin Porter Jr. as a defensive ace. Watson’s defensive numbers are starting to creep up there with elite players.
9. Playoff Implications: The Nuggets tied the Clippers 2-2 in head-to-head matchups. That could become a big deal for playoff seeding. The more tiebreakers the Nuggets own against the West, the better.
10. Up Next: The Nuggets play Friday night against the Brooklyn Nets to complete a three-game homestand. Perhaps Jokic will be back healthy by then.
The Cavs, the Thunder, and the joy of a job well done
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | Ken Blaze/Imagn Images
The ESPN broadcast had its usual coach interview at the start of the fourth quarter, but the dialogue was far from typical. Instead of anodyne coach-speak, a smiling Kenny Atkinson marveled at the basketball being played before him.
“What a great basketball game,” the Cavaliers coach gushed. “I wish I could just sit back and watch it.”
As someone who did precisely that, I can say that Atkinson sure wasn’t wrong.
Cleveland/OKC had something for everyone. There were loud dunks, post moves, occasional but far from overwhelming flurries of three-pointers, high-level shotmaking, ping-pong ball movement, and great all-around defense (despite what the final score might indicate).
The major players exerted maximum effort on both sides and played more than their usual share of minutes. Coaches unveiled tactical adjustments at a lightning pace, counters to counters at a rate you usually only see in the playoffs. There was even a lot of zone defense (which, if you read Basketball Poetry, you would’ve been prepared for!). The refs were largely inobtrusive and inconsequential.
Frankly, if you didn’t like this game, there’s not much hope for you.
Something that struck me halfway through an exquisite third quarter: everyone on the court was simply doing their job. I don’t love how that sentence reads on paper; it makes it sound like a dull affair, people clocking in and clocking out before going to a chain bar with flashing neon signs instead of character for their preferred domestic light pilsner of choice.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. What is an NBA player’s job if not to entertain?
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
Analysis A look at the state of zone defense in the NBA. Who’s running it, and who isn’t? (Basketball Poetry)
Must Read NBA greats think this D-II coach is a basketball genius. So why don’t you know who Jim Crutchfield is? (The Athletic)
Analysis Is this the worst rookie class in modern NBA history? Jared Dubin examines box-score production to compare this year’s rookies to the past. (Last Night in Basketball)
Replay The Denver Nuggets secured a decisive victory over the Clippers, showcasing their dominance. Relive the key moments from the recap of the game. (Denver Stiffs)
Analysis Victor Wembanyama has surged past Curry in the NBA MVP race, impacting the Nuggets’ own MVP aspirations. Dive into the updated MVP leaderboard analysis. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Must-Add Players and Surprising Drops
Jan 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images | John Hefti/John Hefti-Imagn Images
As we approach the NBA trade deadline, it’s crucial to stay on top of the fantasy basketball waiver wire. Let’s dive into the most added and dropped players over the last 48 hours, and discuss some must-roster options for your fantasy teams.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. tops the list of most added players on Basketball Monster. While he’s had two solid games recently, I’m cautious about his long-term value, especially if Jimmy Butler is traded. Remember, any incoming player in a Butler trade could easily take over his role and minutes.
Ryan Dunn is another popular add, likely due to the Suns’ five-game week. However, he’s not a long-term hold for 12-team leagues. Use him for the extra games this week, but be prepared to move on quickly.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is seeing increased opportunities with Paul George out, making him a solid short-term add. Naji Marshall has also been playing well and is worth considering, despite a recent poor shooting night.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nuggets podcasts.
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Are the Nuggets Content At the Trade Deadline? | Nuggets Beat Pelicans | Luka Trade Afterthoughts The Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans by 12 and MPJ has his best game of the year. Are the Nuggets content to stand pat at the deadline?
