Denver Nuggets vs Brooklyn Nets Picks and Predictions January 10th 2025

Injury-Hit Nets Start Road Trip Against Jokic’s Nuggets

The Brooklyn Nets, battling a spate of injuries, begin a challenging six-game road trip Friday night against the Denver Nuggets, who are also navigating roster absences. Both teams are eager to find consistency amid health issues and maintain their playoff trajectories.

Nets Struggling with Key Injuries

Brooklyn (16-19) enters the matchup severely short-handed, with key players sidelined due to various injuries. Cameron Johnson, the team’s second-leading scorer (19.5 points per game), has missed three games with a sprained ankle. While Nets coach Jordi Fernandez remains optimistic about Johnson’s return during the road trip, he won’t suit up against Denver.

“We’re not going to rush anything,” Fernandez said. “I just want him to be 100 percent because then he makes us better.”

The Nets are also without their top scorer, Cam Thomas (24.7 ppg), who has played just two games since late November due to a hamstring issue. Dennis Schroder (18.4 ppg, bruised left hip) and newly acquired D’Angelo Russell (12.7 ppg, bruised right shin) add to the team’s long injury list.

In Wednesday’s 120-114 loss to the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn had just eight rotation players available. Rookie Noah Clowney stepped up with a career-high 29 points, showcasing the team’s depth but highlighting the challenge of competing without its stars.

Nuggets Lean on Depth Without Jokic

Denver (21-15) has also been coping with injuries, most notably the absence of Nikola Jokic, who missed the last two games due to a non-COVID illness. Jokic, the league’s scoring leader (31.5 ppg), ranks second in assists (9.7) and third in rebounds (13.0), making him the centerpiece of Denver’s attack.

The Nuggets are 2-3 without Jokic this season. After a 12-point loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, Denver bounced back Wednesday with a dominant 23-point victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 21 points against the Clippers, while Michael Porter Jr. contributed 19, matching his season average. Murray emphasized the team’s need to maintain focus and energy regardless of injuries:

“We just have to figure out a way to weather the storm and come back,” Murray said. “Even though we lost to Boston, the intent and energy were great, and we have to keep that kind of focus.”

Russell Westbrook has stepped up in place of Aaron Gordon (right calf strain), contributing to Denver’s playmaking efforts with 6.7 assists per game.

Key Matchup: Brooklyn’s Resilience vs. Denver’s Depth

The Nets will rely on rising talents like Clowney and veterans Royce O’Neale and Nic Claxton to compete against a Nuggets team that has shown its depth in Jokic’s absence. Brooklyn’s ability to generate offense without its top scorers will be tested against Denver’s defense, which stymied the Clippers in their last outing.

On the other hand, if Jokic returns, Denver’s offense could prove too dynamic for a depleted Brooklyn squad. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. provide scoring punch, while the Nuggets’ supporting cast will look to exploit mismatches.

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High Stakes for Both Teams

The Nets and Nuggets are both navigating challenging stretches due to injuries, making this matchup pivotal. Brooklyn hopes to gain momentum early in their road trip and stay in the playoff mix, while Denver aims to solidify its position in the Western Conference standings.

With both teams battling adversity, Friday’s game promises an intriguing test of resilience and depth in the NBA season’s grind. Fans can expect an intense showdown as these squads seek a much-needed victory.