Nuggets vs Suns: Jokić's NBA Cup opener arrives in Phoenix
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Denver (2-2) faces Phoenix (1-2) in the NBA Cup group-play opener for both teams, Friday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
- Nikola Jokić arrives fresh off his 200th career triple-double, while Devin Booker looks to bounce back from a 3-point game.
- Denver sits in a Cup group with Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, and Utah; each group winner plus one wild card per conference reaches the knockout rounds.
The Denver Nuggets play their first NBA Cup game on Friday night. They head to Phoenix to face the Suns at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Tip-off is 8:00 PM MT.
It is early in the season, but the game already matters. This is group play in the NBA Cup, the league's in-season tournament.
Every group game counts toward the regular-season record. The tournament began on October 30 with the Lakers' 103-87 win over the Clippers. This is the first Cup game for both teams.
What happened
Denver comes in at 2-2. The Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 104-91 on Wednesday. It was the Nuggets' second win over the Pelicans in five days, according to Reuters.
The bigger story from that game was Nikola Jokić. He finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. That gave him his 200th career regular-season triple-double.
A triple-double means double digits in three stat categories, usually points, rebounds, and assists. Only one other player has ever reached 200.
That is Russell Westbrook, who holds the record with 209, Reuters reported.
Phoenix comes in at 1-2. The Suns have not played since Monday. They lost 125-114 to the Oklahoma City Thunder that night. Before that, they beat the Golden State Warriors 131-122 in their home opener.
The two teams sit in the same Cup group. The group also includes Houston, Dallas, and Utah, Sports Illustrated reported.
The top team in each group moves on to the knockout rounds. One wild card team from each conference joins them. Each team plays only four group games, so every one carries real weight.
Two teams, two stories
Denver has been up and down. The Nuggets lost twice and won twice. Jamal Murray is averaging 22.5 points per game.
Jokić is averaging 22.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. Those numbers come from Reuters.
Coach David Adelman has had to lean on young players early. Rookie Trevon Brazile made his first start on Wednesday. He scored 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan has added 13.0 points per game off the bench.
Denver may also get a boost from a returning player. Forward Cam Johnson missed three games with an ankle injury. Reuters listed him as questionable for Friday.
Julian Strawther (knee) and Spencer Jones (hamstring) are out, according to Mile High Sports.
Phoenix has bigger problems. The Suns rank last in the league in defensive rating, according to Yahoo Sports. They are giving up an NBA-high 15.7 offensive rebounds per game.
Their opponents are shooting 40.7 percent from three-point range. Sports Illustrated notes that is the worst mark in the league.
The brightest spot has been Devin Booker, but even his week was a roller coaster. He scored 43 points against the Warriors on Saturday. Reuters reports that is a franchise record for a home opener.
Two days later in Oklahoma City, he scored just 3 points on 1-for-7 shooting. That was his lowest output since his rookie season in 2015.
Booker told reporters he has to find better ways to stay aggressive. Coach Jordan Ott said the team wants him in attack mode.
Phoenix has been playing without a true point guard. Booker has taken on more playmaking duties.
The Suns are also thin in the middle. Center Mark Williams is out with a shoulder injury. He is expected to miss an extended period.
Oso Ighodaro missed two games with an oblique strain. Yahoo Sports lists him as questionable to return.
Why the matchup matters
Denver has dominated this series lately. The Nuggets have won the last five meetings between these teams. That is according to Yahoo Sports.
The styles point to a high-scoring game. Oddsmakers set the total at 231.5 points. Denver is favored by 4.5, according to Mile High Sports.
Both teams are in the bottom half of the league in three-point shooting. Denver is at 32.8 percent and Phoenix at 31.9 percent, Sports Illustrated reported. Both defenses have been poor, so a shootout is likely.
One matchup to watch is in the paint. Phoenix has struggled to rebound. Denver has Jokić and Aaron Gordon, who is averaging 6.5 rebounds per game.
The Suns give up 15.7 offensive rebounds per game. The Nuggets will look to punish that weakness.
What happens next
The winner gets a head start in the group. The loser has only three Cup games left and much less room for error.
Players on the winning team take home just over $600,000 each, Sports Illustrated reported. Nobody treats these games as routine.
Denver plays at home next, hosting Portland on Monday, November 2. Phoenix stays in group play. The Suns visit the rest of the group after this one.
For the Suns, the formula is clear. They need Booker to play like a star. They need better defense and rebounding.
They also need to prove they can compete with a contender at home. For the Nuggets, it is simpler. Ride Jokić, stay healthy, and win the group.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,