Which game is tougher this week?
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 10:26 am
First of all, weird scheduling quirk: The Wolves have three full days off before playing a road back-to-back on the coast in two time zones.
DENVER. Obviously a huge game. Denver at home is legit. 29 - 10 this season. That's 4th best in the league. And there are 40+ seasons of evidence to support the take that the higher altitude makes a difference. The Nuggets have been historically good at home.
Meanwhile... the Wolves are 16 - 23 on the road. But one of those wins might be their most impressive of the season (12/20) in Denver. Granted, Torrey Craig played a career high for minutes (37) for Denver in that one for some reason. And Gary Harris didn't play... but he won't Thursday either.
This is Denver's 2nd home game after a long 7-game road trip. The Nuggets have won 3 in a row vs. playoff teams, including two in OT.
LA LAKERS. Losers of 3 in a row and 8 of 10... the Lakers are scuffling right now. They end the season with 4 of 5 games at home vs. teams with winning records. It's conceivable the Wolves game is the Lakers last/best chance at a win this season.
Lonzo Ball is questionable. Isaiah Thomas is out. Brandom Ingram is out. Ok. Whew. This looks like a win.
Oh. But. Wait... back to the beginning of this post. They play the Wolves after a TOUGH game the night before in Denver in the high altitude that has affected visiting players for decades. Fortunately, the late night in Denver should dissuade Wolves players from the famed LA nightlife when they land there.
Does anybody expect Thibs NOT to play the starters in Denver 40+ minutes?
Or will he make some concessions knowing how important the Lakers game is... AND... that he knows he has a game lead on Denver with another one vs. them at home to close the season?
Thibs decision on Thursday might very well be the deciding factor for Friday's game as well.
DENVER. Obviously a huge game. Denver at home is legit. 29 - 10 this season. That's 4th best in the league. And there are 40+ seasons of evidence to support the take that the higher altitude makes a difference. The Nuggets have been historically good at home.
Meanwhile... the Wolves are 16 - 23 on the road. But one of those wins might be their most impressive of the season (12/20) in Denver. Granted, Torrey Craig played a career high for minutes (37) for Denver in that one for some reason. And Gary Harris didn't play... but he won't Thursday either.
This is Denver's 2nd home game after a long 7-game road trip. The Nuggets have won 3 in a row vs. playoff teams, including two in OT.
LA LAKERS. Losers of 3 in a row and 8 of 10... the Lakers are scuffling right now. They end the season with 4 of 5 games at home vs. teams with winning records. It's conceivable the Wolves game is the Lakers last/best chance at a win this season.
Lonzo Ball is questionable. Isaiah Thomas is out. Brandom Ingram is out. Ok. Whew. This looks like a win.
Oh. But. Wait... back to the beginning of this post. They play the Wolves after a TOUGH game the night before in Denver in the high altitude that has affected visiting players for decades. Fortunately, the late night in Denver should dissuade Wolves players from the famed LA nightlife when they land there.
Does anybody expect Thibs NOT to play the starters in Denver 40+ minutes?
Or will he make some concessions knowing how important the Lakers game is... AND... that he knows he has a game lead on Denver with another one vs. them at home to close the season?
Thibs decision on Thursday might very well be the deciding factor for Friday's game as well.
