Preview: Denver Nuggets take on San Antonio Spurs in Austin

The Denver Nuggets are technically playing at a neutral site tonight, but given that said neutral site is an hour and a half from where their opponent, the San Antonio Spurs, play normally, it is for all intents and purposes a road game for the Nuggets. In Spurs news it is more of the same: continuing their rebuild process. Despite landing number one overall pick and future phenom Victor Wembanyama in the draft, the Spurs sport a record of 14-52 and are headed towards another high draft pick. Still, Wemby offers a glimpse of the future, can be a handful in his own right and absolutely has the ability to win a game for San Antonio. The Nuggets can’t get caught sleeping on the youngster tonight.

The Essentials

Who: Denver Nuggets (46-20) at San Antonio Spurs (14-52)

When: 6:30 PM MDT

Where: Burnt Orange Drunk Bro Center. Austin, TX.

How to watch/listen: Denver Stiffs does not condone piracy….unless it’s the romanticized 18th century type. Altitude TV where available (Altitude TV is on DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV). NBA League pass for those not in the Nuggets market. Altitude Radio 92.5. Rock all UT stuff, big visor style sun glasses, a mullet and claim to be the president Rho Bro and you get free access to anything related to UT that you want.

Rival Blog: Pounding the Rock

The Matchup

Injury report: Vlatko Cancar – out (knee), Braxton Key – out (G-League), Jalen Pickett – out (G-League), Hunter Tyson – out (G-League); Jamaree Bouyea – questionable (G-League), Sidy Cissoko – questionable (G-League), David Duke Jr. – questionable (G-League), RaiQuan Gray – questionable (G-League), Cedi Osman – out (ankle), Charles Bassey – out (knee)

The Three Things

The thing to watch for: Nikola Jokic vs Victor Wembanyama

Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) guards in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

There’s only one notable matchup tonight. The Spurs are vastly overmatched at every spot on the floor but Jokic vs Wemby will be an even matchup in the not too distant future. The two bigs are arguably already to two most skilled “centers” in the league and each brings a unique aspect to their game at the position with their playmaking ability. Wemby has the length and the skillset to become the best player in the league someday, but for now Jokic holds that title. This is hopefully going to be a matchup we grab our popcorn for many years down the road and it won’t surprise me if Jokic vs Wemby becomes a consistent battle in the playoffs.

The thing to remember: it will be a hostile environment tonight

The Spurs already have a great fanbase. Now put them in the biggest college town in the state on a Friday night with the defending champs coming to play. I expect an extremely raucous crowd tonight at the Moody Center. The Spurs also play better with a friendly crowd. That’s not to say they are anywhere close to having a winning record at home, but they are certainly better and Wemby and Gregg Popovich have both remarked in the past about the differences in energy the team brings when they are playing at home vs on the road. This will not be as easy as it looks on it’s face for the Nuggets and they’ll need to be careful to not fall in a trap.

The thing to bet: Jamal Murray over 2.5 threes (+105)

Wemby’s biggest skill on defense is to be a deterrent to anyone who wants to drive the lane and challenge his eight foot wing span on a shot attempt. I think Jamal may be one of the guys who elects to take more jumpers than normal tonight so I’m going to place a wager on him hitting the over on three point attempts. Plus money makes it all the more worthwhile.