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Preview: Nuggets face rival in Thunder

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Preview: Nuggets face rival in Thunder


The Denver Nuggets are back to their winning ways, now winners of three straight and on the mend health wise, the Nuggets are looking like they did early in the year when they last had their full compliment of players. They’ll still be without defensive ace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tonight but otherwise it’s all hands on deck. Threatening their win streak tonight is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Make no mistake, these are not your slightly older brother’s Thunder. After falling short in the play-in tournament last year, the Thunder currently sit as the three seed in the West this season. They have all the parts of a championship contender in the making. Led by young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the thunder have a talented roster that also includes Josh Giddey, rookie phenom Chet Holmgren and a number of high quality role players who fit perfectly in Oklahoma City’s system. No doubt the Nuggets have a challenge in front of them tonight.

The Essentials

Who: Denver Nuggets (17-9) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (15-8)

When: 7:00 PM MST

Where: The Can. Denver, CO.

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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 available on DirecTV, DirecTV Stream & Fubo TV). NBA League pass for those not in the Nuggets market. Altitude Radio 92.5FM. Show up in a 2007 Ford F150 completely decked out with Christmas lights and convince the loading dock staff that this year’s Parade of Lights in fact runs right through the back halls of Ball Arena.

Rival Blog: Daily Thunder (RIP Welcome To Loud City)

The Matchup

Position Nuggets Thunder Advantage
PG Jamal Murray Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder
SG Justin Holiday Josh Giddey Thunder
SF Michael Porter Jr. Lugeuntz Dort Nuggets
PF Aaron Gordon Jalen Williams Nuggets
C Nikola Jokic Chet Holmgren Nuggets
Bench Reggie Jackson, Julian Strawther, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, DeAndre Jordan Jay Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Kenrich Williams, Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace Even

 

Injury report: Jamal Murray – probable (ankles), Aaron Gordon – probable (heel), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – out (concussion), Vlatko Cancar – out (knee), Jalen Pickett – out (G-League), Jay Huff – out (G-League), Braxton Key – out (G-League); Keyontae Johnson – out (G-League)

The Three Things

The thing to watch for: Jamal Murray vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

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Nov 3, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) on a drive to the basket during the second half at Paycom Center. Denver won 122-110. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

A battle of two premier scoring guards tonight. Jamal is still working back from his ankle sprains but looks springier and springier with every game. It feels like a 30+ point night from him could come at any moment. Meanwhile SGA continues to be one of the premier guards in the NBA and a top 10 player in the league. Tonight may be a scenario where these two guys offset each other by trying to out score one another. Don’t be surprised as well if both teams elect to defend the point guard position with one of their other wings. Justin Holiday probably gets matched up with SGA often whereas Jamal might see a lot of the bigger Giddey and the defensive stalwart Luguentz Dort.

The thing to remember: The Nuggets blew the doors off this team in their home opener

This is the second meeting between Denver and OKC and the first meeting was all Nuggets. Denver came into Oklahoma City and handed out a 128-95 beatdown that still stands as the Nuggets largest margin of victory thus far this season. To add insult to injury, the Nuggets did this on the Thunder’s home opener. Count me among those that think this one will be much tighter with OKC even looking for some revenge. Now, Denver is probably the hardest place to play for an opponent in the NBA right now so I’m not saying the Nuggets will lose, but I’m not expecting a near 30 point blowout either.

The thing to bet: Nikola Jokic SGP over 29.5 points & 9.5 rebounds (+110)

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With Joker going up against Chet I like him to have a big night down low with some bully ball and to get into plus territory on the odds I’ll turn points + rebounds into a single game parlay. You can also bet the simple over 41.5 points + rebounds and get -110 odds. In the previous contest between the two teams Joker had 28 points and 14 rebounds. I think he’s in that territory again and I’ll bank on him getting the 30 burger in points. 10+ rebounds feels like a foregone conclusion.

Not sure you want to risk it on the Thing to Bet? Well good news! ESPN Bet is now live in Colorado and new users can make any bet and receive $250 in Bonus Bets. To get this deal you MUST use our promo code LEHIGH. Click here for the details and to sign up.

 

 

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Denver, CO

Two drivers, one pedestrian dead after I-25 crash in Colorado Springs

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Two drivers, one pedestrian dead after I-25 crash in Colorado Springs


Two drivers and one pedestrian died Sunday morning after a crash on northbound Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

At 4:45 a.m. police received a call about a car driving in the wrong direction on I-25 and multiple calls about a head-on collision, according to a release from the Colorado Springs Police Department.

After the crash occurred, another driver stopped and attempted to help. While trying to cross the interstate, they were hit by a northbound vehicle, according to police.

The pedestrian and one driver were declared deceased on scene. The driver who had been going the wrong way down I-25 was taken to the hospital but died upon arrival.

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The interstate closed between exit 139, Martin Luther King Jr. Bypass, and U.S. 24 at mile point 139 around 5 a.m. and reopened around 9:45 a.m., according to CDOT.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department posted a photo of the crash on X around 5:20 a.m. but later removed the post.

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Denver, CO

Cal Quantrill, Ryan McMahon lead Rockies to 5-2 win over Phillies

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Cal Quantrill, Ryan McMahon lead Rockies to 5-2 win over Phillies


There was no Sunday hangover for the Rockies.

After a crushing 8-4 loss Saturday night, they rebounded with a 5-2 victory over the Phillies to take the three-game series.

Starting pitcher Cal Quantrill once again delivered for Colorado. And, for a refreshing change of pace, the bullpen was lights out. Matt Carasiti, Nick Mears and Tyler Kinley each pitched a scoreless inning. Kinley earned his second save.

Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez came to Coors Field pitching like the leading Cy Young Award candidate, carrying a 9-0 record and a 1.36 ERA. He pitched a complete-game shutout against the Rockies last month in Philadelphia.

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But Colorado beat him up early on Sunday to post a 5-0 lead. Ryan McMahon hit a two-run homer to right in the first, driving in Brendan Rodgers, who reached base on a one-out single. It was McMahon’s 10th homer of the season, and he’s driven in a team-high 32 runs.

Colorado Rockies’ Ryan McMahon is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run off Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suárez in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Rockies scored three more runs in the second on an RBI double by Hunter Goodman, a run-scoring groundout by Rodgers and a throwing error by Philly third baseman Alex Bohm.

Suarez settled in after that and pitched through six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on just three hits. But he walked four to go with his nine strikeouts.

Quantrill was superb again. He allowed two runs on three hits over six innings and struck out five.

In his five May starts, Quantrill is 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA.

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His only demerits on Sunday were two leadoff walks, but only one of those came back to bite him.

Quantrill walked Kyle Schwarber to open the fifth, Bryce Harper reached on an error by first baseman Elehuris Montero and Alex Bohm’s single to right scored Schwarber. Quantrill quashed Philly’s hopes for a big inning by inducing Bryson Stott to ground into a double play.

Philly scored its second run in the fifth on a one-out double by Brandon Marsh and a two-out single by Johan Rojas.

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Denver, CO

Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix: Denver Broncos’ ‘orphan dogs’

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Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix: Denver Broncos’ ‘orphan dogs’


The Denver Broncos traded five draft choices, including two first-rounders, and three players to obtain nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson in 2022.

Two years later, Wilson is practicing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Broncos are working through three quarterbacks to find their 2024 starter – Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

“It’s kind of the orphan group,” Denver coach Sean Payton said on Thursday. “They’re all orphan dogs. They come from somewhere. But they’re doing good. And it’s a good room.”

In order of acquisition, Stidham signed with the Broncos last offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Wilson came aboard in a trade with the New York Jets on April 22 and Nix joined as the 12th pick in the NFL Draft on April 25.

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“They come from different systems,” Payton said. “One’s coming from college, one’s coming from two or three NFL systems and the other’s coming from one system. They’re all in a race to learn this system. And I would say — you guys watched the practice — man, they’re doing well.”

A two-year starter at Auburn, Stidham is preparing for his sixth NFL season. His four starts came under similar circumstances. Stidham started the final two games of the 2022 season for Las Vegas as the Raiders prepared for their offseason release of No. 1 quarterback Derek Carr. He did the same thing for Denver in 2023. In his four starts, Stidham has passed for 1,080 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions.

After signing Russell Wilson to a five-year, $245 million contract, Denver had a 13-21 record in the past two seasons. The Broncos released the quarterback even though they still must pay him $39 million in 2024. But the release prevented Denver from also owing Wilson $37 million for 2025.

Zack Wilson started 33 games for the Jets after being the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was supposed to be replaced by Aaron Rodgers last season. But when the four-time NFL MVP sustained a season-ending injury in the opening game, Wilson ended up starting 11 times in 2023.

New York posted a 12-21 record in Wilson’s starts, and he has 23 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions during his career.

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Alabama’s Mr. Football for the 2018 season at Pinson Valley High School, Nix started for three seasons at Auburn before transferring to Oregon. Nix finished third in the voting for the 2023 Heisman Trophy as he set an NCAA FBS single-season record by completing 77.45 percent of his passes and school single-season marks with 4,508 passing yards and 45 touchdown passes for Oregon.

TOM BRADY’S ADVICE FOR BO NIX

With 16,965 yards of total offense in his career, Nix ranks second in NCAA FBS history. He also ranks second with 152 total touchdowns (113 passing, 38 rushing and one receiving), sixth with 15,352 passing yards and seventh with 1,286 completions.

“We go by what we see,” Payton said of the quarterback competition. “We try to get them as many reps as possible. We’re rotating all of them right now, so Tuesday Stiddy ran with the ones and then Zach and then Bo, and we’ll keep doing that right now.”

Denver held its first three days of its Phase 3 practices last week. Commonly called OTAs (for Organized Team Activities), Phase 3 practices allow NFL teams to expand their offseason on-the-field work to include 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills matching the offense and defense. Contact is still not allowed, but group drills can proceed at more than a walkthrough pace now.

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Stidham took the first-team snaps on Tuesday, Wilson did so on Wednesday and Nix got his turn with the first team on Thursday.

Payton said not to draw a conclusion from that order.

“There’s going to be a time when you read into the reps,” Payton said. “I don’t think it’s early in OTAs.”

The Broncos have seven OTA practices remaining on their offseason schedule as well as a three-day mandatory minicamp June 11-13 before breaking for the summer.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.





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