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.
How The Nuggets Disappeared The Magic
Jan 19, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) celebrates after dunking the ball against the Orlando Magic in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck/Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The 10-piece gives you ten things to know about Denver’s 82 regular season games. Today’s edition? Nuggets 113, Magic 100.
1. The Script: Once again, the Nuggets lost the first quarter, battled with a team headed into half and then destroyed them in the second half. Denver locked down defensively against a limited and injured Magic squad and ran away with the game after a 39-25 third quarter.
2. Light Work: Nikola Jokic had a triple-double in three quarters with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. He didn’t have to play the fourth quarter.
3. Questionable Choices: The Magic, without Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, made some weird decisions. They sent doubles from one pass away, allowing Jokic to punish them with kicks to Michael Porter Jr. (15 points). Orlando’s scheme, which is usually great, was another puzzle solved by Joker.
4. More Murray: Jamal Murray “only” had 19 points, but it was an easy, efficient 19 that included him going 7-of-10 from 2-point range
5. Dunks And Threes: Christian Braun had a sneaky great game with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Against the Magic’s set defense, Braun helped the Nuggets push the pace. His rebounding was great on the wing and he had 20 points on 10 shots.
6. Reversal Of Fortune: Denver has struggled with defending the paint but were great in this one. The Magic shot 43 percent from 2-point range and that just won’t cut it vs. Denver even if you make more threes (which they did).
7. Unstoppable: Denver gave up 23 points off turnovers on 20 turnovers and still won going away. Their halfcourt defense was terrific and their offense sliced up the Magic. Just an impressive win vs. a tough team, and on the road to boot.
8. AG 6th Man: The Nuggets win again with Russell Westbrook starting and AG off the bench. The reality is that they will do this until they struggle with it and then flip back. For now, it’s working.
9. Minutes Crunch: The Nuggets on going away, the starters besides Murray only had to play 30 minutes, and somehow Peyton Watson still had only 11 minutes.
10. Up Next: The Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday at Ball Arena. Joel Embiid will not play due to injury.
Jan 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) directs the offense as he is defended by Brooklyn Nets forward Tosan Evbuomwan (12) and guard D’Angelo Russell (1) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
We’re halfway through the NBA season and I’ve seen many of the same points on midseason reports lists. The Sixers being this bad, the Pistons being this good, Russell Westbrook finding such a great fit alongside Nikola Jokic and with the Nuggets — at some point, if we all have the same observations, then we’re not really paying attention.
Not to lean too hard on my own horn, but I thought all these things were going to happen before the season got underway (granted, it does feel excellent that being a perennial Westbrook supporter is paying off). Let’s look instead at some surprises past the surface level of competition this season, into developments and/or plot twists that look like they’ll have a ripple effect beyond the conclusion of this NBA calendar year. We’ll start with two today and get into some others tomorrow.
Leveraging the future for an immediate star
The Suns and Sixers are the obvious examples, but the Warriors, Lakers, Mavericks and Wolves have done this via inaction and slow erosion.
For the Mavs, this season feels like an existential hiccup. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving settling, seemingly well, into a working routine last season and Dallas was a contender in the West. Where the Mavs have slipped to — injuries aside — does seem to be, in part, in working Klay Thompson into the fold. Thompson has struggled at times to find his shot and his place on the floor, he plays at a pace a lot different than either Doncic or Irving do — his previous, forever point guard in Steph Curry was never as frenetic.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Trades Jimmy Butler returns to the Heat, says “whole truth will come out” about what’s transpired in Miami (CBS Sports)
Analysis Cooper Flagg, the heralded pick of this year’s NBA Draft, puts exclamation point on his status (The Athletic)
Biz OKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault named All-Star coach (ESPN)
Watch Nikola Jokić's performance in the Nuggets-Magic game went viral. His dazzling play showcased why he is a must-watch talent, captivating fans and analysts alike. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury The Denver Nuggets vs. Orlando Magic injury report highlights key absences. Find out which players are sidelined and how it could impact the game. (Sports Illustrated)
Replay The Nuggets conjured some magic in their latest victory against Orlando. Relive the highlights and key moments from the game. (Denver Stiffs)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wonders: Must-Add Players and Surprising Trends in Fantasy Basketball
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) over Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
As we dive into the latest fantasy basketball waiver wire trends, some surprising names have emerged as the most added players across various platforms.
Stephon Castle is another intriguing name gaining traction. With Jeremy Sochan sidelined, Castle has seen increased opportunities and has capitalized on them. However, I’m skeptical about his long-term value once the Spurs return to full strength.
Wendell Carter Jr. is an interesting case, as his role could expand with Goga Bitadze out. There’s a good chance Carter retains the starting spot even when Bitadze returns, making him a solid speculative add in deeper leagues.
Nick Richards’ Phoenix Suns’ debut was impressive, so grab him if available, but we should also be on the lookout for an efficiency drop.
Hot Players to Watch
Drew Eubanks has emerged as a surprise contributor, ranking as the 61st best player over the past week. While his value is tied to injuries ahead of him, he’s worth monitoring in case his role expands.
Kel’el Ware is a name to keep an eye on, especially if the Heat continue to play him alongside Bam Adebayo. This lineup change could unlock significant fantasy value for the young big man.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the latest fantasy basketball trends, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
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