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Nets look to beat the Nuggets in Denver

By Brian Fleurantin
NBA: Denver Nuggets at Atlanta Hawks Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

That was needed in the worst way. After four straight losses, the Brooklyn Nets took a trip to the desert hoping to get things back on track. They were able to get the job done by coming up with a gritty win against the Phoenix Suns. Two more games to go before they get back home.

The opponent this Election Day will be the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets are hoping to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, and they're off to a decent start. They've been off since Saturday after catching a beatdown from the Warriors. It happens.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. WCBS 880 AM on radio. Tip off after 9 PM.

Injuries

Jarrett Allen and Trevor Booker have been out the past couple of games as they deal with their respective injuries. They’re out again and so is Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who had to exit Monday’s game early due to a right hip contusion.

Nothing really doing for Denver.

The game

Denver won the first game last week.

As the leader of the team, D'Angelo Russell has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders. He has to run the offense to fruition and make sure everyone gets good looks within the flow of the offense and keep things steady when things are going sideways. He put together one of his best games of the season last night and more importantly, did most of his damage in the fourth quarter. He's gone over 30 minutes in the last two games and should do so more often.

With Booker and Allen hurt, Brooklyn is going to need a lot more from Timofey Mozgov. Moz only played 16 minutes and grabbed two rebounds before fouling out early in the fourth quarter last night. He'll have his hands full dealing with Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets are still figuring out ways to get the most out of Jokic, but he's been solid so far. A big man that gets you 15 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists a night is incredibly valuable and the better he gets on defense, the more important he'll become.

Player to watch: Paul Millsap

Millsap was one of the big free agent acquisitions of the summer, and he's trying to find his way in Mike Malone's offense. His shooting splits aren't there yet, but he does a lot of good things on the court and that's incredibly valuable for a young team like Denver.

Injuries are a motherfu**er, and when you’re already down two big men, you can’t afford to have your starting power forward hobbled as well. Assuming RHJ isn't healthy enough to play, we'll see a lot more of Quincy Acy (who just came off of an injury himself) and Tyler Zeller. Zeller had a terrific game last night and for a team that lacks in size, he can be a valuable piece.

From the Vault

The latest edition of ESPN's 30 for 30 focuses on the life and times of Ric Flair. If you don't know about the Nature Boy, let him teach you.

More reading: Denver Stiffs

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