The Denver Nuggets are putting the holidays, and Denver, in their rear view mirror as they head out on a season long seven game road trip. They start it in Orlando where the Magic are waiting and seeking revenge after losing to the Nuggets just over a week ago. Denver has added another starter to the injury report since that time while getting Peyton Watson back. Meanwhile, the Magic continue to trade wins and losses. Both teams are inching towards getting some key players back in their lineup, but tonight looks like a very similar matchup to the one we saw just eight days ago.
The Basics
Who: Denver Nuggets (22-8) at Orlando Magic (17-14)
When: 5PM MST
Where: I can’t afford a luxury car but I want to look like I’m driving one even thought the logo immediately gives it away as cheap…Center. Orlando, FL.
How to watch/listen: Altitude 2. Altitude Radio 950AM
Rival blog: Orlando Magic Daily
The Matchup
| Position | Nuggets | Magic | Advantage |
| PG | Jamal Murray | Tyus Jones | Nuggets |
| SG | Tim Hardaway Jr. | Desmond Bane | Magic |
| SF | Peyton Watson | Anthony Black | Even |
| PF | Spencer Jones | Paolo Banchero | Magic |
| C | Nikola Jokic | Wendell Carter Jr. | Nuggets |
| Bench | Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas, Zeke Nnaji, Jalen Pickett, Julian Strawther | Jonathan Isaac, Jamal Cain, Tristan da Silva, Jase Richardson, Noah Penda | Even |
Injury report*: Christian Braun – out (ankle), Aaron Gordon – out (hamstring), Cam Johnson – out (knee), Tamar Bates – out (foot); Goga Bitadze – questionable (knee), Franz Wagner – out (ankle), Jalen Suggs – out (hip), Moritz Wagner – out (knee). *The official injury report from the Magic was not available at time of writing.
The Three Things
The thing to watch for: Peyton Watson vs Anthony Black
A battle of two less heralded guys on each team who are quietly having really solid seasons. Both players have been asked to do more due to the injuries on their respective rosters and both have made the most of the opportunity. Black, a former 6th overall pick, is starting to round into form and is a key part of the Magic starting lineup. He needs to work on his shooting efficiency, but Orlando has to be happy with the progress they’ve seen with the added scoring responsibilities. A bit different path to the same end result for Watson. He’s still going to be the fifth option on Denver’s starting unit so he’s not getting as many opportunities to shoot as Black but his efficiency has gone through the roof. Each guy is showing why you can’t put too much stock into the early years of teenage NBA player careers. In the case of these two players, as they start to pile up more minutes they are becoming very solid NBA starters and are still 23 or younger despite being in the league multiple years.
The thing to remember: Orlando is on a back to back
The Magic played last night and lost to the Charlotte Hornets so a couple of things could be in play here. On one hand, one would expect Orlando to be tired. They probably had a big Christmas day with their families and then hit the court the next day, now they’ve got to do it again just 24 hours later. I imagine that is exhausting. On the other hand, they just lost by fifteen to the 11-20 Hornets and are going to be pissed off about that. Nothing helps a team bounce back from a bad loss like getting a big win the very next day. I anticipate Orlando to come out swinging and it will be up to the Nuggets to weather that early storm and stay consistent throughout to earn a victory.
The thing to bet: Jokic over 30.5 points (-106)
In the last contest between these two teams, the Magic chose to double Jokic and stay with him on the pick and roll…and Jamal Murray cooked them with 7 three point makes and 32 points while Joker piled up 13 assists. I expect an adjustment from the Magic tonight and it may very well be the classically hilarious “make Jokic beat you as a scorer” adjustment. 31 points is a tall order on any night for any player, even Nikola, but he’s reached the stratosphere where I’m not going to bet against him at any point.
