Denver Nuggets vs. Washington Wizards Preview
The Denver Nuggets, currently third in the Western Conference with a record of 29-15, are gearing up to face the Washington Wizards, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a disappointing 10-32 record. The matchup will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. EST in Washington, D.C.
Current Form and Statistics
As the Nuggets embark on this road trip, they aim to extend their current winning streak away from home to five games. Meanwhile, the Wizards have struggled significantly this season, especially at home with a record of 6-14. Their defensive woes are evident, as they rank among the worst in the Eastern Conference, permitting an average of 123.6 points per game. Opponents have exploited their defense, shooting at a high percentage of 47.6%.
On the other hand, Denver has found success on the road, winning 17 out of 24 games and averaging 121.4 points while outscoring their opponents by an average margin of 4.4 points. In terms of three-point shooting, the Wizards are neck-and-neck with the Nuggets, averaging 12.6 successful attempts from beyond the arc, just shy of the 13.1 threes that their opponents routinely score against them. Comparatively, Denver enjoys a field goal shooting percentage of 49.9%, slightly exceeding the 47.6% their defense has allowed this season.
Previous Encounter
This matchup also marks the second meeting between the two teams this season; the Nuggets emerged victorious in their first encounter, securing a 121-115 win on January 18, with Jamal Murray delivering a standout performance of 42 points.
Key Players and Injuries
Individual performances will be key in this game, with Wizards’ Alex Sarr showcasing promising stats this season, averaging 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. Teammate Tre Johnson has also been notable, averaging 12.9 points over his last ten matches. For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray leads with an impressive average of 26 points and 7.4 assists, while Peyton Watson has been consistent, averaging 22 points and 6.2 rebounds in his recent games.
The Wizards are facing some injury challenges, with Tristan Vukcevic listed as day-to-day due to a knee issue, Bilal Coulibaly out due to a back injury, and Cam Whitmore ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. The Nuggets are not without their own injury problems; Cameron Johnson, Tamar Bates, and Nikola Jokic are all sidelined, while Christian Braun’s status is uncertain as he deals with an ankle injury.
