OKC Thunder versus Denver Nuggets – Preview highlights adaptability

OKC Thunder preveiw AUGUST 01: Nikola Jokic of Nuggets (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
OKC Thunder preveiw AUGUST 01: Nikola Jokic of Nuggets (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder – Nuggets preview: Bol Bol #10 and PJ Dozier #35 of the Nuggets, (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Injuries ravage Nuggets and affect rotations:

That means the OKC Thunder can expect to face a variety of lineups featuring super tall rotations plus they’ll face reserves filling in for the starters.

In the match versus the Heat the starting five were:

  • Guard: Monte Morris – 6’2″
  • Guard: Torrey Craig – 6’7″
  • Small Forward: Michael Porter Jr. 6’10”
  • Power Forward: Paul Millsap 6’7″
  • Center: Nikola Jokic – 7′

Although former OKC Thunder forward Jerami Grant didn’t start in the Heat match he could start today but he’ll definitely get ample playing time versus his former club.

Rookie Bol Bol who is 7’2″ could get some run in this match along with 6’11”  Mason Plumlee and a P.J. Dozier who once had a cup of coffee in OKC and famously wore Kevin Durant’s old jersey number (35).

With so much upheaval in the Nuggets rotations, it makes for a difficult game plan for Billy Donovan. The clear priority will be locking down Nikola Jokic which means Steven Adams will need to be ready for a big day.

Jokic lost a ton of weight over the quarantine period and how he’ll deal with the size of someone like Adams now is an intriguing question.

His weight loss may allow him to be fleeter of foot defensively which is something else to watch for in the match.